Alabama State Legislature

General information
Type: |  State legislature
Term limits: |  None
Session start: |  February 4, 2025
Website: |  Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President: |  Will Ainsworth (R)
House Speaker: | Nathaniel Ledbetter (R)
Majority Leader: |  Senate: Steve Livingston (R)
House: Scott Stadthagen (R)
Minority Leader: |  Senate: Bobby Singleton (D)
House: Anthony Daniels (D)
Structure
Members: | 35 (Senate), 105 (House)
Length of term: |  4 years (Senate), 4 years (House)
Authority: |  Art IV, Alabama Constitution
Salary: |  $59,674.08/year + Per diem
Elections
Last election: | November 8, 2022
Next election: | November 3, 2026
Redistricting: | Alabama Legislature has control
Meeting place:

## Contents

* 1 Senate
* 1.1 Leadership
* 1.2 Partisan composition
* 1.3 Before 1990
* 2 House of Representatives
* 2.1 Leadership
* 2.2 Partisan composition
* 2.3 Before 1990
* 3 Elections
* 3.1 2026
* 3.2 2022
* 3.3 2018
* 3.4 2014
* 3.5 2010
* 4 Sessions
* 4.1 2024
* 4.2 2023
* 4.3 2022
* 4.4 2021
* 4.5 2020
* 4.5.1 Effect of coronavirus pandemic
* 4.6 2019
* 4.7 2018
* 4.8 2017
* 4.9 2016
* 4.10 2015
* 4.10.1 Major issues in 2015
* 4.11 2014
* 4.11.1 Major issues in 2014
* 4.12 2013
* 4.12.1 Major issues in 2013
* 4.13 2012
* 4.14 2011
* 4.15 2010
* 4.16 Gubernatorial vetoes
* 4.17 Role in state budget
* 5 Legislators
* 5.1 Salaries
* 5.1.1 Pension
* 5.2 When sworn in
* 6 District maps
* 6.1 State Senate
* 6.2 State House
* 7 Veto overrides
* 8 Joint Legislative Committees
* 9 Role in Alabama Constitution
* 10 History
* 10.1 Creation and Civil War
* 10.2 Reconstruction
* 10.3 The Civil Rights era
* 10.4 Partisan balance 1992-2013
* 10.4.1 SQLI and partisanship
* 11 Constitutional amendments
* 11.1 Legislature
* 11.2 Convention
* 12 See also
* 13 External links
* 14 Footnotes

The Alabama State Legislature is the state legislature of Alabama. It is a bicameral body composed of the Alabama House of Representatives, with 105 members, and the Alabama State Senate, with 35 members. In the 2010 elections, Republicans gained control of both chambers for the first time since 1874.

The Legislature meets in the Alabama State House (officially designated as such by Amendment 427 to the Alabama Constitution) in Montgomery. The original capitol building located nearby has not been used by the Legislature since 1985, when it closed for renovations. It now serves as a museum.

Alabama has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also: Alabama House of Representatives, Alabama State Senate, Alabama Governor

## Senate[edit]

The Alabama State Senate is the upper house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state.

As of the 2020 Census, Alabama state senators represented an average of 143,716 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 137,228 residents.

The Senate serves both without term limits and with a four-year term.

Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the U.S. Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.

### Leadership[edit]

The lieutenant governor of Alabama serves as the president of the senate, but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the president pro tempore presides over the Senate. The president pro tempore is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the entire Senate through a Senate Resolution. The president pro tempore is the chief leadership position in the Senate. The other Senate majority and minority leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses.

### Partisan composition[edit]

See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Party  | As of April 2025

|

| Democratic Party | 8
| Republican Party | 26
| Other  | 0
| Vacancies  | 1
Total |  35

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Alabama State Senate in 2010. In 2022, they won a 27-8 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Alabama Senate following every general election from 1990 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Alabama State Senate election results: 1990-2022

Year  | '90  | '94  | '98  | '02  | '06  | '10  | '14  | '18  | '22

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Democrats | 28 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 8
Republicans | 7 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 26 | 27 | 27

### Before 1990[edit]

Democrats held majorities over the Whig Party for most of the early 1800s. After a brief period of Republican control following the Civil War, Democrats began winning large majorities. From 1902 to 1978, the Democratic advantage over Republicans never fell below 34-1. Republicans won three seats in the chamber in 1983 through special elections that were ordered after a federal court struck down the 1982 legislative map for violating the 1965 Voting Rights Act.[1][2]

## House of Representatives[edit]

The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts.

As of the 2020 Census, Alabama state representatives represented an average of 47,905 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 45,743 residents.

There are no term limits in the House. The House is also one of the five lower houses of state legislatures in the United States that is elected every four years. Virtually all other lower houses, including the U.S. House of Representatives, are elected for a two-year term.

### Leadership[edit]

The Speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives. The Speaker is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the full House through the passage of a House Resolution. In addition to presiding over the body, the Speaker is also the chief leadership position, and controls the flow of legislation and committee assignments. Other House leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses relative to their party's strength in the chamber.

### Partisan composition[edit]

See also: Partisan composition of state houses
Party  | As of April 2025

|

| Democratic Party | 29
| Republican Party | 74
| Other  | 0
| Vacancies  | 2
Total |  105

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Alabama House of Representatives in 2010. Republicans gained a 77-28 majority in 2022.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Alabama House following every general election from 1990 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Alabama House of Representatives election results: 1990-2022

Year  | '90  | '94  | '98  | '02  | '06  | '10  | '14  | '18  | '22

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Democrats | 82 | 74 | 69 | 64 | 62 | 39 | 33 | 28 | 28
Republicans | 23 | 31 | 36 | 41 | 43 | 66 | 72 | 77 | 77

### Before 1990[edit]

Democratic majorities dated back to 1837 when Democrats competed with the Whig Party. Democrats usually held around a 20-seat advantage. After a brief period of Republican control following the Civil War, Democrats regularly held all but a few seats in the chamber until 1983 when Republicans gained 12 seats in special elections. The elections were ordered after a federal court struck down the 1982 legislative map for violating the 1965 Voting Rights Act.[3][4]

## Elections[edit]

### 2026[edit]

See also: Alabama State Senate elections, 2026 and Alabama House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for the Alabama State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

Elections for the Alabama House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

### 2022[edit]

See also: Alabama State Senate elections, 2022 and Alabama House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for the Alabama State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 24, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 21, 2022. The filing deadline was January 28, 2022.

Elections for the Alabama House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 24, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 21, 2022. The filing deadline was January 28, 2022.

### 2018[edit]

See also: Alabama State Senate elections, 2018 and Alabama House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for the Alabama State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on June 5, 2018.[5] A primary runoff election took place on July 17, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018.[6] The candidate filing deadline was February 9, 2018.[7]

Elections for the Alabama House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on June 5, 2018.[8] A primary runoff election took place on July 17, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was February 9, 2018.[9]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Alabama State Senate elections, 2014 and Alabama House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Alabama State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014; a runoff election took place where necessary on July 15, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 7, 2014.

Elections for the Alabama House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014; a runoff election took place where necessary on July 15, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 7, 2014.

### 2010[edit]

See also: Alabama State Senate elections, 2010 and Alabama House of Representatives elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Alabama State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on April 2, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was April 2, 2010.

Elections for the office of Alabama House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 1, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was April 2, 2010.

## Sessions[edit]

Section 48 of Article IV of the Alabama Constitution initially set the rules for the timing and length of the Legislature's sessions. However, these rules have been changed by state statute.

The Alabama Legislature convenes in regular annual sessions on the first Tuesday in February, except during the first year of the four-year term, when the session begins on the first Tuesday in March. In the last year of a four-year term, the legislative session begins on the second Tuesday in January. The length of the regular session is limited to 30 meeting days within a period of 105 calendar days. There are usually two meeting or "legislative" days per week, with other days devoted to committee meetings.

The Governor of Alabama can call, by proclamation, special sessions of the Alabama legislature. The governor must list the subjects on which legislation will be debated upon. These sessions are limited to 12 legislative days within a 30 calendar day span. In a regular session, bills may be enacted on any subject. In a special session, legislation must be enacted only on those subjects which the governor announces on their proclamation or "call." Anything not in the "call" requires a two-thirds vote of each house to be enacted.[10]

Bills can be prefiled before sessions, starting at the end of the previous session and ending at the beginning of the session for which they are being filed. The exception to this is for sessions beginning in March every 4 years.[11]

The Alabama Legislature has a constitutional session length limit of 105 calendar days.

See also: Alabama House of Representatives, Alabama State Senate, Alabama Governor

### 2024[edit]

See also: 2024 Alabama legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 6, 2024, and adjourn on May 9, 2024.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

### 2023[edit]

See also: 2023 Alabama legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 7, 2023, and adjourn on June 6, 2023.

### 2022[edit]

See also: 2022 Alabama legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on April 7, 2022.

### 2021[edit]

See also: 2021 Alabama legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 2, 2021, and adjourn on May 17, 2021.

### 2020[edit]

See also: 2020 Alabama legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 4, 2020, and adjourn on May 18, 2020.

#### Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.

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Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. On March 16, 2020, the Alabama House of Representatives announced a suspension of legislative activity in response to the coronavirus pandemic, canceling all committee meetings scheduled for March 25, 2020. The House was scheduled to meet on March 26, 2020, but a quorum was not expected. Both the House and the Alabama State Senate were scheduled to reconvene on March 31, 2020, in keeping with their original schedules. At that time, according to a statement from House leadership, "a joint decision [would] be made as to future legislative meeting days."[12]

On March 31, 2020, lawmakers approved a suspension of all legislative activity through April 28, 2020. That suspension was then extended to May 4, 2020, at which point the legislature reconvened. The legislature adjourned on May 18, 2020.[13][14][15]

### 2019[edit]

See also: 2019 Alabama legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from March 5, 2019, through May 31, 2019.

### 2018[edit]

See also: 2018 Alabama legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through March 29, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

### 2017[edit]

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions

In 2017, the legislature was in session from February 7, 2017, through May 19, 2017.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the legislature was in session from February 2 through May 4. The legislature held a special session from August 15 to September 7.

### 2015[edit]

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from March 3 through June 4. The legislature held a special session from July 13 to August 11. The legislature held a second special session from September 8 to September 16.[16]

#### Major issues in 2015[edit]

Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included a $265 million deficit in the state's General Fund. If left unchecked, this deficit was expected to reach nearly $700 million in a few years' time. This fund provides money for the judicial branch, prisons, Medicaid and state troopers.[17]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through April 4.

#### Major issues in 2014[edit]

Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included creating a new budget, a pay raise for teachers, Common Core and banning legislators from serving as lobbyists immediately following their departure.[18]

### 2013[edit]

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from February 5 through May 20.

#### Major issues in 2013[edit]

Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included the general fund, maintaining Medicaid, raises for teachers, giving schools more flexibility over state policies, and gun laws.[19] Heading into the session, the general fund was estimated to be $200 million short of requests.

### 2012[edit]

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the legislature was in regular session from February 7 through May 16. It held a special session from May 17 through May 24 to address redistricting.[20]

### 2011[edit]

See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

In 2011, the legislature was in session from March 1 through June 9.[21]

### 2010[edit]

See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12 through April 12.

### Gubernatorial vetoes[edit]

Unlike other state legislatures, where gubernatorial vetoes require a two-thirds or even a three-fifths majority vote to be overridden, the Alabama legislature has the power to override a veto with a simple majority vote in both houses. The legislature also has the constitutional power to override line-item vetoes by a simple majority.

### Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Alabama state budget
Alabama on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

* * *

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. Alabama's fiscal year runs from October 1 and ends September 30 of the following year. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[22]

1. In September of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year, budget instructions are sent to state agencies.
2. In November, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor.
3. By the second legislative day of each regular session of the legislature, the governor must submit his or her proposed budget to the state legislature. These dates vary from session to session, occurring as early as January and as late as March.
4. The legislature adopts a budget between February and May. It must pass with a simple majority.

The governor is required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature must pass a balanced budget.[22]

Alabama is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[22][23]

## Legislators[edit]

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[24]

Salary| Per diem
$59,674.08/year| No per diem is paid to legislators whose permanent residence is less than six hours away. Legislators who are 6-12 hrs from their permanent residence receive $12.75/day. Legislators who are over 12 hours away and have no overnight stay receive $34/day.

#### Pension[edit]

Alabama does not provide pensions for legislators.[25]

### When sworn in[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Alabama's state legislators assume office the day following their election.[26]

## District maps[edit]

### State Senate[edit]

### State House[edit]

## Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Alabama are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? A majority of members in both chambers.

A simple majority of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 53 of the 105 members in the Alabama House of Representatives and 18 of the 35 members in the Alabama State Senate. Alabama is one of six states that requires a majority vote from each of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

Authority: Article V, Section 125 of the Alabama Constitution.

"If the governor's message proposes amendment, which would remove his objections, the house to which it is sent may so amend the bill and send it with the governor's message to the other house, which may adopt, but can not amend, said amendment; and both houses concurring in the amendment, the bill shall again be sent to the governor and acted on by him as other bills. If the house to which the bill is returned refuses to make such amendment, it shall proceed to reconsider it; and if a majority of the whole number elected to that house shall vote for the passage of the bill, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by a majority of the whole number elected to that house, it shall become a law."

## Joint Legislative Committees[edit]

See also: Public policy in Alabama

The Alabama State Legislature has a category of committees that it defines as "Joint Interim Legislative Committees." Of these, some are identified as "permanent." The list below is a list of the standing interim committees that are defined as permanent:

* Energy Policy Committee, Alabama State Legislature
* Finances and Budget Committee, Alabama State Legislature
* Reapportionment Committee, Alabama State Legislature
* Transportation Committee, Alabama State Legislature
* Committee on Homeland Security Oversight, Alabama State Legislature
* Judicial System Study Commission, Alabama State Legislature
* Historical Records Advisory Board, Alabama State Legislature
* Housing Finance Authority, Alabama State Legislature
* Children First Trust Fund Legislative Oversight Committee, Alabama State Legislature
* Joint Legislative Oversight Committee of Children in State Care, Alabama State Legislature
* Joint Legislative Advisory Committee on Community Service Grants, Alabama State Legislature
* Legislative Oversight Commission on Workforce Development Division, Alabama State Legislature
* License Plates Legislative Oversight Committee, Alabama State Legislature

## Role in Alabama Constitution[edit]

See also: Amending state constitutions

Alabama has had a total of six different state constitutions, coming in 1819, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1875, and 1901. The current constitution is the longest written constitution in the United States.

The Alabama legislature under the constitution (Article XVIII, Alabama Constitution), can act to begin two different processes of amending the state's constitution:

* If both houses of the Alabama State Legislature by a three-fifths (60%) vote agree, then a proposed constitutional amendment shall go on a statewide election ballot. If that amendment is approved by a simple majority of those voting in that election, it becomes part of the constitution.

* Amendments can initiate in either the Alabama State Senate or the Alabama House of Representatives.
* Amendments can be voted on either at the next general election, or at a special election date determined by the state legislature. Any such special elections must take place "not less than" three months after the final adjournment of the session of the legislature during which the amendment(s) was proposed.
* Notice of the fact that an election on a proposed amendment is going to take place must be published in each county of the state for at least eight successive weeks prior to the election.

* If both chambers of the state legislature agree by a simple majority vote, then a ballot question about whether to have a statewide constitutional convention can be placed on the ballot; if that question is approved by a majority of those voting in that election, then a constitutional convention will be called.

## History[edit]

### Creation and Civil War[edit]

The Alabama Legislature was created in 1818 as a territorial legislature for the Alabama Territory. Following the federal Alabama Enabling Act of 1819 and the successful passage of the first Alabama Constitution in the same year, the Alabama General Assembly became a fully-fledged state legislature upon its accession to statehood.

The General Assembly was one of the 11 state legislatures of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Following the state's secession from the Union in January 1861, delegates from across the South met at the state capital of Montgomery to create the Confederate government. Between February and May 1861, Montgomery served as the Confederacy's capital, where Alabama state officials let members of the new Southern federal government make use of its offices. The Provisional Confederate Congress met for three months inside the General Assembly's chambers at the Alabama State Capitol, while Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the Confederacy's first (and only) president on the steps of the capitol.

However, following complaints from Southern bureaucrats over Montgomery's uncomfortable conditions and Virginia's entry into the Confederacy, the Confederate government moved to Richmond in May 1861.

### Reconstruction[edit]

Following the Confederacy's defeat in 1865, the state government underwent a transformation. Upon the state's re-admission into the United States in 1868, Radical Republicans, including white Northerners known as "carpetbaggers," "scalawag" Southern Republicans, and "freedmen" African-Americans dominated both the state governorship and General Assembly. For the first time, blacks could vote and were elected to the legislature, a feat that would not be repeated for another 100 years. The resulting 1868 Constitution reflected the radicals period in the state government.

Yet as in other states during Reconstruction, former Confederate and reactionary conservative forces from the Democratic Party gradually overturned the radicals. By the 1874 state general elections, the General Assembly was once again a body dominated by Bourbon Democrats. Both the resulting 1875 and 1901 Constitutions disenfranchised blacks and dismembered the Radical Republicans, creating and enforcing Jim Crow laws. It was also in the 1901 Constitution that the General Assembly changed its name to the Alabama Legislature.

### The Civil Rights era[edit]

The American Civil Rights Movement began only miles away from the Alabama Legislature's chambers with Rosa Parks' refusal to change seats on a Montgomery bus in December 1955. The subsequent Montgomery Bus Boycott and the rise of both Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. to national and international prominence began a decade and a half of tumultuous political and social changes.

Throughout the late 1950s and into the 1960s, the Alabama Legislature and a series of succeeding segregationist governors massively resisted Civil Rights protestors. During this period, the Legislature created the Alabama State Sovereignty Commission. Mirroring Mississippi's own similarly named authority, the commission acted as a state intelligence agency to spy on Alabama citizens suspected of sympathizing with the Civil Rights movement.

However by the 1970s, with federal legislation enforcing bans on poll taxes, literacy tests and other blatant bureaucratic tools of discrimination, African-Americans entered the Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction.

In May 2007, the Alabama Legislature officially apologized for slavery, making it the fourth Deep South state to do so.

### Partisan balance 1992-2013[edit]

Partisan breakdown of the Alabama legislature from 1992-2013

See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States and Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Alabama

Alabama Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Alabama State Senate for 19 years while the Republicans were the majority for three years. The Alabama State Senate is 1 of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. However, starting with the Alabama State Senate elections in 2010, both legislative chambers took a turn toward the Republican side. Since Alabamans have elected Republican governors since November 2002, the state has had a Republican trifecta as of the November 2010 elections.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Alabama House of Representatives: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Alabama State House of Representatives for 19 years while the Republicans were the majority for three years. The Alabama State House is one of 18 state Houses that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Since Alabamans have elected Republican governors since November 2002, the state as of the November 2010 and 2012 elections has had a Republican trifecta.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Alabama, the Alabama State Senate and the Alabama House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Partisan composition of Alabama state government (1992-2013).

#### SQLI and partisanship[edit]

To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Alabama state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Between the years 1993-1994 and 1999-2002, Alabama had Democratic trifectas, and since 2011, Alabama has had a Republican trifecta. In every remaining year between 1992 and 2012, Alabama had a Republican governor with a Democratic legislature. In every year of the study, Alabama ranked in the bottom-10 on the SQLI ranking. Its lowest ranking occurred during the Democratic trifectas of 1999 and 2000 (46th), while the state’s highest ranking occurred during the divided government years of 2005 and 2006 (41st).

* SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 44.33
* SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 43.50
* SQLI average with divided government: 42.83

Chart displaying the partisanship of Alabama government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

## Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Alabama Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XVIII of the Alabama Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Alabama

The Alabama Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Alabama requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

#### Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Alabama State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 63 votes in the Alabama House of Representatives and 21 votes in the Alabama State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

#### Convention[edit]

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to the Alabama Constitution, a simple majority in each chamber during one legislative session is required to send a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote by the electorate is required to call the convention. Any proposed amendments approved by the convention require a simple majority vote of the electorate to be ratified.

## See also[edit]

Elections |  Alabama State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

|
|
|

* Alabama elections, 2026
* Alabama elections, 2024
* Alabama elections, 2022
* Alabama elections, 2018
* Alabama state legislative special elections, 2017

* Alabama State Legislature
* Alabama House of Representatives
* Alabama State Senate
* Governor of Alabama
* Alabama Supreme Court

* State legislative elections: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures
* The State Legislative Decade

## External links[edit]

* Alabama Legislature

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ New York Times, "Dominant Democratic Party in Alabama takes liberal turn," October 25, 1983
2. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "1980s Redistricting Case Summaries," January 13, 2016
3. ↑ New York Times, "Dominant Democratic Party in Alabama takes liberal turn," October 25, 1983
4. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "1980s Redistricting Case Summaries," January 13, 2016
5. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Systems," accessed March 23, 2017
6. ↑ Alabama Secretary of State, "Upcoming Elections," accessed May 9, 2017
7. ↑ Alabama Secretary of State, "FCPA Filing Calendar - 2018 Election Cycle," accessed May 29, 2017
8. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Systems," accessed May 29, 2017
9. ↑ Alabama Secretary of State, "FCPA Filing Calendar - 2018 Election Cycle," accessed May 29, 2017
10. ↑ Alabama State Legislature, "Visitor's Guide to the Alabama Legislature," accessed February 5, 2021(Archived)
11. ↑ Alabama State Legislature, "The Rules of the Senate of Alabama," accessed February 5, 2021
12. ↑ Alabama Political Reporter, "Alabama House cancels March 25 committee meetings due to coronavirus," March 17, 2020
13. ↑ News 5 WKRG, "Alabama lawmakers suspend 2020 legislative session, will return in late April," April 1, 2020
14. ↑ MultiState, "2020 Legislative Session Dates," last updated April 27, 2020
15. ↑ CBS 42, "Alabama Legislature reconvening Monday despite coronavirus outbreak," May 4, 2020
16. ↑ al.com, "Gov. Robert Bentley: Divorce, ALGOV, special session and what we know now," accessed September 8, 2015
17. ↑ AL.com, "What big issues will the Alabama Legislature solve in 2015? Let us know in the poll and comments," December 31, 2014
18. ↑ blog.al.com, "Seven issues to watch in the 2014 legislative session," January 12, 2014
19. ↑ AL.com, "Alabama Legislature 2013: 10 hot issues to watch in the upcoming session," February 2, 2013
20. ↑ tuscaloosanews.com, "Alabama Legislature passes redistricting plans," accessed April 21, 2015
21. ↑ ncsl.org, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed April 21, 2015
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
23. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
24. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
25. ↑ USA Today, "State-by-state: Benefits available to state legislators," September 23, 2011
26. ↑ Justia, "Alabama Constitution, Article IV, Section 46," accessed February 5, 2021

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