March 2024 Alabama Amendment 1
{{Short description|2024 referendum}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox referendum
|date=March 4, 2024
|yes=341,515
|no=359,850
|total=701,365
|country=Alabama
|question=Exempt Local Bills from Budget Isolation Resolution Amendment
| map = Alabama Amendment 1 March results.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County results
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
Yes
{{legend|#47729E|70–80% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#7D9CBB|60–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#B6C8D9|50–60% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{col-3}}
No
{{legend|#BCBC83|60–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#DEDEBD|50–60% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{col-3}}
{{col-end}}
}}
{{Elections in Alabama}}
Alabama Amendment 1 was a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that appeared on the ballot in the U.S. state of Alabama on March 4, 2024, concurrent with the 2024 United States elections. The amendment failed with 51% of voters voting against it.{{cite web |last1=Zeigler |first1=Jim |title=Constitutional amendment to expedite local bills fails 51-49% |url=https://1819news.com/news/item/constitutional-amendment-to-expedite-local-bills-fails-51-49 |website=1819 News |access-date=27 June 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Etheredge |first1=Alec |title=State, county vote against Amendment 1 on Primary ballot |url=https://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2024/03/06/state-county-vote-against-amendment-1-on-primary-ballot/ |website=Shelby County Reporter |access-date=27 June 2025}}
Text
{{Blockquote|Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to amend Section 71.01 authorizing the Legislature to sign and transmit local laws or constitutional amendments before the transmission of basic appropriations.{{cite web |last1=Sapp |first1=Savannah |title=Amendment 1 on Alabama Primary ballot explained |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2024/03/01/amendment-1-alabama-primary-ballot-explained/ |website=WSFA |access-date=27 June 2025}}}}
Background
In Alabama, lawmakers must first pass state budgets before any other legislation can be passed.{{cite web |last1=Hightower |first1=Morgan |title=Understanding Amendment 1 ahead of Alabama's Primary Election |url=https://www.wbrc.com/2024/03/04/understanding-amendment-1-ahead-alabamas-primary-election/ |website=WBRC |access-date=27 June 2025}} The amendment was placed on the ballot in July 2023 by the Alabama Legislature.{{cite web |title=Amendment 1 on Alabama primary ballot would cut procedural vote for local bills |url=https://www.cbs42.com/alabama-news/amendment-1-on-alabama-primary-ballot-would-cut-procedural-vote-for-local-bills/ |website=CBS 42 |access-date=27 June 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Moon |first1=Josh |title=Lawmakers want to use special session to remove procedural step |url=https://www.alreporter.com/2023/07/19/lawmakers-want-to-use-special-session-to-remove-procedural-step/ |website=Alabama Political Reporter |access-date=27 June 2025}}
Purpose
The amendment would have allowed members of the legislature to vote on and pass legislation related to local county or city-level issues before passing a budget.{{cite web |last1=Zeigler |first1=Jim |title=Constitutional Amendment One on March 5 ballot explained |url=https://1819news.com/news/item/constitutional-amendment-one-on-march-5-ballot-explained |website=1819 News |access-date=27 June 2025}}