Alabama Civics (Overview)

Alabama civics is the study of how the state’s offices and institutions work and how residents take part in them. This overview summarizes the executive, legislative and judicial branches and the state constitution, and points to the detailed entries on each part.[1][2][3]

Who is elected

Alabama voters elect the governor every four years, along with the lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer and commissioner of agriculture and industries, and these elections occur in midterm years. They also elect the 35 state senators and 105 state representatives, who serve four-year terms with no term limits, and the nine justices of the Supreme Court, who serve six-year terms.[1][2][3] See the governor, legislature and Supreme Court entries.

How a law is made

Bills are passed by the legislature, which meets in Montgomery in regular sessions limited to 30 meeting days within 105 calendar days. All revenue bills must begin in the House. The governor signs or vetoes bills, and a veto can be overridden by a majority vote in both houses.[1][2] Governors may also call special sessions limited to subjects in their call.[1]

Changing the constitution

Constitutional amendments need a three-fifths vote of all elected members of each house and then approval by voters; the governor does not sign them.[1] The current text, the Constitution of Alabama, was adopted on November 28, 2022, as a recompilation of the 1901 constitution.[4]

Courts and education oversight

The Supreme Court is the highest appellate court and the chief justice leads the state court system, while a Court of the Judiciary can discipline judges.[1][3] The Alabama Commission on Higher Education coordinates public colleges and universities and administers student aid.[5]

Where to learn more

For the full structure, read the Government of Alabama overview. Residents can confirm office holders, election dates and polling places on the websites of the Alabama Secretary of State and their local election offices, because those details change over time.

FAQs

How long are legislators’ terms? Four years, with no term limits.

Do voters elect Supreme Court justices? Yes, in partisan statewide elections for six-year terms.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Government of Alabama
2. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Office of the Governor
3. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Alabama Supreme Court
4. Wikipedia: Constitution of Alabama
5. Alabama Commission on Higher Education: About the Agency

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue