Alabama voters have approved a constitutional amendment that will allow cotton farmers to vote to make a fee mandatory that they have been paying voluntarily on each bale of cotton.
With 99 percent of the precincts reporting Tuesday night, the constitutional amendment was passing with 67 percent voting yes and 33 percent voting no.
The $1 a bale fee is now paid on all cotton when it is delivered to the gin, but those who don't want to pay it can get a refund. Less than 10 percent usually request a refund. The fee is used for cotton promotion and research.
The constitutional amendment drew supported from the Alabama Farmers Federation and other agricultural groups.