Alabama Constitution Project

The republic is a dream. Nothing happens unless first a dream. -- Carl Sandburg

A civic movement to empower citizens through responsive government

Born during a turbulent and violently racist period, Alabama's 1901 constitution has inspired few admirers. The document, which has now been amended nearly 600 times, may be the longest in the world. It remains a major obstacle to fair taxation and local self-rule. Reformers deplore the constitution's protection of special interests, while scholars say the document reflects the state's appalling failure to develop a viable civic culture. So why continue to enshrine this relic as fundamental law?

The Alabama Constitution Project invites Alabama citizens to deliberate what kind of constitution they want to guide their state into the 21st century. For there to be a sound state constitution, Alabamians first must constitute a public. Please join in this effort to bring government closer to the people -- and more in tune with their needs.

Over the coming weeks and months, new material will be added to this page. Please add a bookmark for this page on your browser so that you can return and find out more about the Project. Thanks.

Town Meeting Coming Soon

As part of The Alabama Constitution Project, the Center for Governmental Services at Auburn University will be hosting a statewide town meeting on the Constitution. This meeting will be held on February 15, 1996, and will be broadcast by satellite to ten locations around the State of Alabama.

Click here for more information on the town meeting.
Click here for the agenda for the town meeting.
Click here for a list of sites where you can participate in the town meeting.

Symposium a Success

A Symposium on the Alabama Constitution was held on December 13-15, 1995. Despite being postponed from an earlier date in October due to Hurricane Opal, the Symposium was conducted in December and went off without a hitch. About one hundred people from around the state participated in deliberations on the Constitution and a mock constitutional convention.

You can read speeches and papers presented at the Symposium by clicking here.

Other material from the Symposium will be available here as soon as it is compiled.

New Papers added to Proceedings

Three new papers on the Alabama Constitution presented at A Symposium on the Alabama Constitution have been added to the Proceedings section of this page. The new essays are written by Dr. Wayne Flynt, Distinguished University Professor at Auburn University, Dr. Gerald Johnson, Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Auburn University, and Janice May, Associate Professor of Government, University of Texas at Austin.