LEAGUE NEWS
LWVAL TAKE ACTION TUESDAY
LWVAL Actions for January 27, 2026
Support HB14
Constitutional Amendment Allowing Citizen Ballot Initiative Process
HB14 (Lands)
Representative Marilyn Lands has introduced HB14, an amendment to the Alabama constitution allowing for a citizen ballot initiative process. This bill proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022 to allow the people to propose general laws and constitutional amendments through a citizen initiative process.
A citizen ballot initiative allows ordinary voters to actively participate in democracy. Using this process they are able to propose new laws or constitutional amendments and put them on the ballot for a public vote.
According to Ballotpedia, "a ballot initiative is a citizen-initiated ballot measure. The ballot initiative process allows citizens to propose statutes or constitutional amendments, depending on the state, and collect signatures to place their proposals on the ballot for voters to decide. Some states have an indirect process in which legislatures have the option to approve the proposals outright.
Other names for ballot initiatives include popular initiatives, citizen initiatives, and citizen referendums.”
There are 26 states that allow for citizen-initiated ballot measures.
18 allow for initiated constitutional amendments.
21 allow for initiated state statutes.
2 — Maryland and New Mexico — allow for veto referendums but not initiated statutes or initiated amendments.
ACTION REQUESTED:
1. Read the article: Ballot Measures - And Important Form of Direct Democracy by Leslie Graves, Ballotpedia Founder and CEO.
2. Read the bill - HB14
Oppose SB21
Prohibits Naturalized Citizens From Holding Certain Elected State Offices
SB21 (Chesteen)
Simply stated, SB21 threatens Alabama's democracy...
An important way to participate in our democracy is by running for public office. The U.S. Constitution guarantees that all citizens—whether natural born or naturalized—have the right to seek and hold elected office. Our communities deserve to vote for the individuals they think most qualified for the office. Alabama does not need to penalize individuals who have entered our country legally, become citizens through the legal process to do so, and who wish to serve as elected officials, representing their communities, in our government.
SB21 would amend the Alabama Constitution and bar naturalized citizens from holding certain state constitutional offices, including governor, attorney general, and legislator. This proposal would create a second-class status for some citizens, undermining the core democratic principle of equal participation. LWVAL strongly opposes this bill. Excluding qualified citizens from public service based solely on how they became citizens is discriminatory, unconstitutional, and erodes democracy in Alabama.
Click HERE to read an important opinion piece by Carlos E. Alemán, ¡HICA! Executive Director.
ACTION REQUESTED: Click HERE and sign this petition to demand that Alabama lawmakers uphold the Constitution and allow all Alabama citizens to participate equally in our government.
Aligned Organization Actions
Alabama Rivers Alliance
OPPOSE SB71 & HB162
These prohibit adopting environmental protection criteria stricter than federal requirements.
SB71 (Sen Donnie Chesteen)
HB162 (Rep Troy Stubbs)
HB162 and SB71 cede the authority granted by the Clean Water Act in 1972 that allowed Alabama to enact laws more protective of water quality than federal minimums.
These bills are about states rights to protect our own unique ecosystems for Alabama hunting, fishing, and recreation industries that bring so much revenue to Alabama. They essentially say that the federal government’s approach to protecting water, air and land is preferable to decisions made by our own Alabamians about what is best for our state, the most aquatically biodiverse in the nation.
HB162 remains in committee but SB71 has advanced from committee to the Senate for a full vote.
Click HERE to read related reporting in the Alabama Political Reporter.
ACTION REQUESTED: Click HERE to use the Alabama Rivers Alliance form to communicate your opposition to HB162 and SB71. Completing this one form will communicate your opposition to both your state senator and house representative. We strongly recommend adding your own words in the text as it is more impactful to the legislator.
Other Advocacy Opportunities
OUR BODIES OUR FUTURES
Advocacy Day in Montgomery
9 am - 2 pm, Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Senate Bill 3 is a bill that would require abstinence-only-until-marriage instruction in Alabama and limit access to comprehensive, medically accurate, and LGBTQ+ affirming sex education. Show your opposition to SB3 by attending 'Our Bodies Our Futures' Advocacy Day in Montgomery.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Feb. 10, 2026 — Reproductive justice advocates, community leaders, youth activists, educators, parents, and families from across Alabama will gather at the Alabama State House on Tuesday for Our Bodies, Our Futures Advocacy Day, a coordinated effort urging lawmakers to oppose legislation that restricts sexual health education and reproductive freedom.
The day will begin with a press conference and rally from 9 to 10 a.m. on the steps of the Alabama State House, followed by legislative advocacy meetings throughout the day. The event is organized by URGE:Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity in partnership with Yellowhammer Fund, the ACLU of Alabama, Alabama Values Progress, the Alabama Reproductive, Health, Rights, and Justice Coalition, and other statewide partners.
Participants are calling on legislators to oppose Senate Bill 3, a bill that would require abstinence-only-until-marriage instruction and limit access to comprehensive, medically accurate, and LGBTQ+ affirming sex education. Advocates say the bill would restrict access to critical health information and negatively impact youth across the state.
Speakers at the press conference include Anneshia Hardy, executive director of Alabama Values Progress; Courtney Roark, Southeastern Regional Movement Building & Policy Director Alabama & Georgia of URGE; and JaTaune Bosby-Gilchrist, executive director of the ACLU of Alabama.
Following the press conference, Yellowhammer Fund will lead a rally featuring youth, educators, parents, and Alabamians directly impacted by reproductive health and education policies. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants will take part in advocacy training, policy briefings, and meetings with lawmakers. Attendees will deliver messages and leave-behind materials urging lawmakers to support comprehensive sex education and reproductive autonomy.
Community members can register to participate in Advocacy Day at bit.ly/ALAdvocacyDay26.
Bills On the League's Radar
Sponsor: Pettus
Title/Description: Youthful offender status, to prohibit a judge from granting youthful offender status to any person who is 16 years of age and older and charged with capital murder or murder
Committee: Not Assigned
Chair:
League Position: OPPOSE
Sponsors: Yarbrough, Mooney, Butler, Whorton, Pettus, Underwood, Colvin, Carns, Treadaway, Kiel, Stringer, Gidley, Fidler, DuBose, Bolton
Title/Description: Illegal immigration, procedures for arrest, detention, transportation of illegal immigrants provided for; reporting requirements established
Committee: Judiciary
Chair: Jim Hill (St. Clair) 334-261-0494
Vice Chair: Tim Wadsworth (Winston, Walker, Cullman, Jefferson)
205-300-4008
League Position: OPPOSE
Sponsor: Marilyn Lands
Title/Description: Referendum measures; authorizes general laws and constitutional amendments to be initiated through public petition process
Committee: Constitution, Campaigns & Elections
Chair: Bob Fincher (Chambers, Lee, Randolph) 334-261-0538
Vice Chair: Arnold Mooney (Shelby) 334-261-9512
League Position: SUPPORT
Sponsor: Bill Lamb
Title/Description: Fair Campaign Practices Act: Authorize notifications of civil penalties by electronic mail in lieu of certified mail in certain circumstances
Committee: Ethics and Campaign Finance
Chair: Matt Simpson (Baldwin) 334-261-0424
League Position: SUPPORT
Sponsor: Adline Clarke
Title/Description: Absentee voting: designee to deliver voter's absentee ballot application and absentee ballot to election manager for disabled voter, authorized
Committee: Constitution Campaign & Elections
Chair: Bob Fincher (Chambers, Lee, Randolph) 334-261-0538
Vice Chair: Arnold Mooney (Shelby) 334-261-9512
League Position: SUPPORT
Sponsor: Chris England
Title/Description: Sentencing; resentencing of certain sentences subject to judicial override, authorized; retroactive application
Committee: Judiciary
Chair: Jim Hill (St. Clair) 334-261-0494
Vice Chair: Tim Wadsworth (Winston, Walker, Cullman, Jefferson)
205-300-4008
League Position: SUPPORT
Sponsors: Clarke, Jackson, Hassell, Drummond, Lawrence, Gray, Morris, Boyd, Hall, Warren, Hollis, McClammy, Bracy, Moore (M), Ensler, Daniels, Rafferty, Lands, Travis, Hendrix, Jones, Sellers, Datcher, Givan, McCampbell, Forte, Tillman, Chestnut, England
Title/Description: Elections; early voting, in-person voting period, authorized
Committee: Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
Chair: Bob Fincher (Chambers, Lee, Randolph) 334-261-0538
Vice Chair: Arnold Mooney (Shelby) 334-261-9512
League Position: SUPPORT
Sponsor: Shelnutt
Title/Description: Public K-12 schools, sex education (sex ed) curriculum further provided for, sexual risk avoidance established as sex ed curriculum, policies of local boards of education related to sex ed further provided for, parent or guardian notice of sex ed curriculum required, Attorney General authorized to enforce
Committee: Education Policy
Chair: Donnie Chesteen
League Position: OPPOSE
Sponsor: Donnie Chesteen
Title/Description: Offices of governor; lieutenant governor; justice of the Alabama Supreme Court; judge of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals; judge of a circuit court or district court; member of the legislature; attorney general; state auditor; secretary of state; state treasurer; commissioner of Agriculture and Industries; member of the Alabama State Board of Education; and local sheriffs, district attorney, circuit clerk, and constables required to be held by a natural-born citizen of the United States, Constitutional Amendment
Committee: State Governmental Affairs
Chair: Tom Butler
League Position: OPPOSE
Sponsor: Pettus
Title/Description: Youthful offender status, to prohibit a judge from granting youthful offender status to any person who is 16 years of age and older and charged with capital murder or murder
Committee: Judiciary
Chair: Will Barfoot
League Position: OPPOSE
Sponsor: Chris Elliot
Title/Description: Public library boards; provide that library boards serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.
Committee: County and Municipal Government
Chair: Reed Ingram (Elmore/Montgomery) 334-261-0507
Vice Chair: Troy Stubbs (Elmore) 334-261-0595
League Position: OPPOSE
Sponsor: Chris Elliot
Title/Description: Department of Archives and History; increase composition to 17 members, and revise manner board members are appointed.
Committee: County and Municipal Government
Chair: Reed Ingram (Elmore/Montgomery) 334-261-0507
Vice Chair: Troy Stubbs (Elmore) 334-261-0595
League Position: OPPOSE
State Legislator Contact Information
You can find your district numbers and representative names by clicking
HERE.
You can find contact information for your state senators by clicking HERE.
You can find contact information for your state representatives by clicking HERE.
House Speaker Ledbetter's Contact Info:
334-261-0505 nathaniel.ledbetter@alhouse.gov
Senate President Pro Tempore Gudger's Contact Info:
334-261-0855 garlan.gudger@alsenate.gov