Amendment 1: Filling an empty lieutenant governor's officeSpecial election to fill an empty lieutenant governor's office; lawmakers set some salaries
Read the full text of the measure: Fair Ballot Commission statements (PDF)
In plain words
Today, if the lieutenant governor dies, resigns, becomes governor or is removed, the office stays empty until the next regular election. A special election is held only if both the governor's and lieutenant governor's offices are empty. This amendment would call a special election to fill the lieutenant governor's office. It would also let lawmakers set the pay of the lieutenant governor and legislative officers (for example, the Speaker and the Senate leader), which the constitution sets today, and require a legislative officer to approve any travel paid for with legislative money. (sos.alabama.gov )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant governor's office becomes empty | Stays empty until the next regular election | Voters elect someone to finish the term (the ballot title says this applies in the first two years of a term) |
| Pay of the lieutenant governor and legislative officers | Set in the constitution | Set by the Legislature through a joint resolution |
| Lawmakers' travel paid with legislative money | No such rule in the constitution | Must be approved by an officer elected by that chamber |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (sos.alabama.gov )
Biggest change
- Requires a special election to fill the lieutenant governor's office if it becomes empty early in a term. source: 1819news.com
- Lets the Legislature set the salary of the lieutenant governor and legislative officers by joint resolution. source: sos.alabama.gov
- Requires a legislative officer to approve any spending of legislative money on travel. source: sos.alabama.gov
Who it affects most: Voters statewide, who would choose a replacement lieutenant governor instead of leaving the office empty; and the lieutenant governor and legislative leaders, whose pay lawmakers could change.
Cost to the state: The Fair Ballot Commission says there are no costs or taxes tied to Amendment 1. The cost of a special election, if one is ever needed, is not estimated.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
If the lieutenant governor's office becomes empty early in a term, voters elect a replacement, and lawmakers can set the pay of the lieutenant governor and their own leaders.
An empty lieutenant governor's office stays empty until the next regular election, and those salaries stay set in the constitution.
Our one-line summary. Alabama does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a majority of the votes cast on it.
- Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) sponsored it. Givhan says the idea has been discussed for years and is not tied to any current candidate. source: 1819news.com
- When the lieutenant governor's office is empty, the Senate president pro tem (the leader senators elect) picks up its duties. source: 1819news.com
Why supporters want it
- Sen. Sam Givhan, the sponsor: "The pro-tem's got enough duties as it is without having to also do the duties of lieutenant governor." On pay for the Speaker and pro tem: "They essentially have a full-time job, and you know, they should be paid more." source: 1819news.com
Why opponents object
- No public statement found.
Who backs each side
- For: sponsor Sen. Sam Givhan and the Legislature, which placed it on the ballot. Against: no group found. No public record found of campaign money for either side. source: 1819news.com
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official Fair Ballot Commission statements .
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to provide for the election of a Lieutenant Governor if the Office of Lieutenant Governor becomes vacant during the first two years of a term, to authorize the Legislature to set the salary of the Lieutenant Governor and officers of the Legislature, and to require any expenditure of legislative funds for travel to be approved by a legislative officer.
Proposed by Act 2026-341.
Yes
No
Copied word for word from the Fair Ballot Commission ballot statement and checked against the enrolled SB271.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
The Fair Ballot Commission's explanation is in the Secretary of State's PDF. The full change is in the enrolled bill. Read it in the Fair Ballot Commission statements (PDF) , or on the Legislature's page for Senate Bill 271 (Act 2026-341) , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- Secretary of State: 2026 statewide amendments and Fair Ballot Commission statements
- Fair Ballot Commission: Amendment 1 explained (PDF)
- 1819 News: Amendment 1 and lieutenant governor vacancies
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.