The Alabama State Legislature referred a constitutional amendment related to the election of the lieutenant governor to the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. On April 2, legislators passed the amendment, which would require an election for lieutenant governor if a vacancy occurs more than 60 days before the next general election.
The ballot measure would require that, if the lieutenant governor's office becomes vacant more than 60 days before the next general election, voters would elect a replacement at that election. The person elected would serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
As of 2026, Section 127 of the Alabama Constitution provides for an election to be held if "both the governor and lieutenant governor be removed from office, die or resign" more than 60 days before the next general election. If only the lieutenant governor's office becomes vacant, it remains that way for the rest of the term.
The measure would also add a new provision authorizing the state legislature to set the salary of the lieutenant governor and members of the legislature. As of April 2026, Section 49 of the Alabama Constitution sets the annual compensation for state legislators based on the median annual household income in Alabama, and Section 118 makes the salary of the lieutenant governor equal to that of the state's speaker of the house.
A 60% vote in both legislative chambers during a single legislative session is required to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. The amendment was introduced as Senate Bill 271 (SB 271) on Feb. 5, 2026.
In the state House, SB 271 passed 101-0, with four Republicans not voting. In the state Senate, SB 271 passed 29-0, with four Republicans and two Democrats not voting.
The amendment was sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan (R-7). Speaking in support of the amendment, he said, "Our constitution provides for the vacancy for both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, but not the Lieutenant Governor alone. Since we would not have to pay for an election in this scenario and since we already have a model if both the Governor and (Lieutenant Governor) offices are vacant, it seemed like this was the least controversial solution."
The last state to decide on a statewide ballot measure related to electing the lieutenant governor was Utah in 2014. The measure, Amendment B, removed the requirement for an appointed lieutenant governor to stand for election in the next general election following their appointment. Amendment B was approved, receiving 55.6% of the vote.
This is the fourth statewide ballot measure to be certified in Alabama for 2026.
During the state's primary elections on May 19, 2026, two of the measures — Amendment 1 and Amendment 2 — will appear on the ballot. Amendment 1 would add discharging a firearm in an occupied dwelling or other occupied space and any solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder to the list of crimes for which a judge may deny bail. Amendment 2 would prohibit any reduction in a district attorney's compensation during their term in office.
The other measure to appear on the ballot with SB 271 on Nov. 3, 2026, House Bill 208, is a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that would increase the age limit for the judge of probate in Walker County from 70 to 75.
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