Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Zeigler criticizes impeachment amendment on November ballot

Alabama Auditor Jim Zeigler is opposing a November ballot measure that clarifies the threshold to oust an impeached public official.

Amendment 6 specifies that a two-thirds vote of the Alabama Senate is required to remove an impeached public official.

Zeigler says the change would make it almost impossible to remove Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley. Zeigler called it the "Get Out of Impeachment Free Card."

The change was proposed before some lawmakers launched a long-shot effort to impeach Bentley. It is part of a section-by-section rewrite and clarification of the 1901 Alabama Constitution.

The state constitution currently does not set a vote threshold, although earlier versions specified the two-thirds vote.

Twenty-three lawmakers signed impeachment articles after Bentley was accused of having an affair with a staffer.

News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.