MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Segregation ended decades ago in Alabama, swept away by the civil rights marchers who faced down police dogs and fire hoses in the early 60s. But segregation is still mandated by the state’s constitution, and voters on Nov. 6 will get only their second chance in years to eliminate it from the document.
Proponents say Alabama needs to delete outdated language on racially separate schools and poll taxes because states competing for industry use it against Alabama. Opponents, including two large black political groups, say the proposal doesn’t go far enough. They are urging a no vote because the proposal doesn’t remove segregation-era language saying there is no right to a public education in Alabama.
Alabama voters rejected a broader proposal in 2004 that would have removed the language about there being no right to a public education.
