Amendment 2: Merging county school systemsA way for neighboring county school systems to merge
Read the full text of the measure: Fair Ballot Commission statements (PDF)
In plain words
Each county has its own school board today, and the constitution has no process for merging county school boards. This amendment would let two or more county boards that border each other vote to merge. Before a merger, the State Board of Education would study and publish how it would affect students, families, programs, staff, transportation, money and taxes. If at least 25% of voters in an affected school system sign a written protest, the merger happens only if voters approve it at the next general election, with a majority in each county and overall. (sos.alabama.gov )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Can county school boards merge? | No process in the constitution | Two or more bordering county boards can vote to merge |
| Study before a merger | None required | State Board of Education must study and publish the effects first |
| Can voters stop it? | Not applicable | If 25% of voters in an affected system protest in writing, it needs a majority in each county and overall at the next general election |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (sos.alabama.gov )
Biggest change
- Lets two or more bordering county school boards merge by resolution, with the new board taking on their debts and contracts. source: news.ballotpedia.org
- Requires a State Board of Education impact study, published at least 30 days before a county board votes. source: newsfromthestates.com
- A written protest by 25% of voters forces a public vote that must pass in each county and overall. source: sos.alabama.gov
Who it affects most: Students, families and school staff in small, rural county school systems. The Alabama Association of School Boards says it knows of no county system now planning to merge.
Cost to the state: The Fair Ballot Commission says there are no costs or taxes tied to Amendment 2.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Bordering county school boards get a way to merge into one system after a state study, and 25% of voters can force a public vote on it.
The constitution keeps no process for merging county school boards; each county keeps its own board.
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.
- Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) sponsored it. A separate law already covers city school systems; county boards need a constitutional amendment. source: newsfromthestates.com
- The House passed it 96-2 and the Senate 30-0 in the 2026 session. source: news.ballotpedia.org
Why supporters want it
- Rep. Terri Collins, the sponsor: "They could combine some of that administration and they could put more money back in the classroom." Collins said it could help small counties with fewer than 1,000 students. source: alabamareflector.com
Why opponents object
- The League of Women Voters of Alabama opposes it because of the 25% protest threshold. President Kim Bailey: "The threshold is 25% of electors, which many times, you don't even have that many people come out to vote." source: newsfromthestates.com
- When the bill was debated, Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa) raised concerns about differences in facilities between rural systems: "So if you try to combine those systems, how would you balance it?" source: alabamareflector.com
Who backs each side
- For: sponsor Rep. Terri Collins and the Legislature. Against: League of Women Voters of Alabama. Neutral: Alabama Education Association and Alabama Association of School Boards. No public record found of campaign money for either side. source: newsfromthestates.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 a process for the creation of a consolidated county school system by merging two or more contiguous county boards of education; to require the State Board of Education to conduct an impact study on the potential effects of the consolidation; to require publication of the impact study; to provide a procedure for protesting a proposed consolidation of two or more county school systems; and to require the State Board of Education to adopt rules.
Proposed by Act 2026-378.
Yes
No
Copied word for word from the Fair Ballot Commission ballot statement and checked against the enrolled HB380.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
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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 House Bill 380 (Act 2026-378) , 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 2 explained (PDF)
- Alabama Reflector: Amendment would authorize county school board mergers (Oct. 8, 2026)
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.