Here are the Tuscaloosa Co. Democratic Party recommendations for the 10 amendments on the 2022 General Election ballot. You can read the amendments in their entirety on the Secretary of State website.
Constitution of Alabama 2022
This is a compilation of the 1901 Alabama Constitution that reorganizes the document and removes racist language.
Recommendation: This is our best chance to change our constitution outside of a constitutional convention. We recommend voting YES.
Amendment One
This amendment would require judges to deny bail to individuals charged with specific crimes such as murder, kidnapping, rape, domestic violence, burglary, robbery, arson, terrorism, and aggravated child abuse.
Recommendation: Judges already allow judges to deny bail in these situations. We recommend voting NO.
Amendment Two
This amendment would allow state & local governments to grant federal funds or other state broadband funds to public or private entities to provide or expand broadband internet access.
Recommendation: This law would help the the “last mile” to help deliver broadband to more Alabama communities. We recommend voting YES.
Amendment Three
The amendment would require the governor to notify the attorney general and families of murder victims of a decision to stop an execution or to commute the death row inmate’s sentence to life.
Recommendation: This would limit the power that the governor currently holds to reduce a death sentence to a life in prison sentence. We recommend voting NO.
Amendment Four
This amendment would prohibit the legislature from passing laws concerning a general election less than 6 months before the election.
Recommendation: During times of emergency (like COVID-19) the legislature may need more flexibility. We recommend voting NO.
Amendment Five
The amendment would remove the language “orphans business” from the jurisdiction of probate courts in the state constitution.
Recommendation: This language is outdated. We recommend voting YES.
Amendment Six
This amendment would allow cities to use taxes that they already collect to fund capital projects and repay bonds. Currently, some municipalities are only allowed to pay for capital projects by borrowing money – voting yes on this amendment will remove that restriction.
Recommendation: This amendment would give cities more flexibility and allow them to avoid borrowing money. We recommend voting YES.
Amendment Seven
This amendment changes requirements for local government economic development. Cities would not have to advertise in the largest newspaper in the county and not have to seek voter approval for issuing bonds unless there’s a tax increase.
Recommendation: This amendment gives cities more flexibility. We recommend voting YES.
Amendment Eight
This amendment allows the Alabama Public Service Commission to regulate and set rates for private sewer systems in Shelby County.
Recommendation: Private sewer systems charge large fees and often cause environmental problems. We recommend voting YES.
Amendment Nine
This amendment allows the Alabama Public Service Commission to regulate and set rates for private sewer systems in Tuscaloosa County.
Recommendation: The private sewer system in Lake View needs regulation. We recommend voting YES.
Amendment Ten
Voting Yes on this amendment includes the amendments approved by voters in the May 24th and Nov 8th elections in the reorganized Alabama Constitution of 2022, if it is approved by voters.
Recommendation: The new amendments should be reorganized along with the rest of the state constitution. We recommend voting YES.
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