On Tuesday Americans go to vote! And here in Alabama we have a couple of big races. After you pick your choice for president we have several big statewide races! By the way; Mitt Romney is going to win Alabama by a big margin.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
This race is between Roy Moore and Bob Vance. Roy Moore was once Chief Justice in Alabama. But after his stunt of putting a ten commandments statue in the Alabama Judicial Building he was removed from office. He is now running for his old seat and you know many people in Alabama would vote for him. But for people like me I am concerned he would pull the same stunt again and embarrass the state of Alabama again on a world stage. http://www.judgeroymooreforchiefjustice.com/
His challenger Bob Vance is a really nice guy! I got to talk to him during Fiesta Birmingham and he said they had polling data that suggests this race is very close! I really love his ads on TV and he has a great family! http://judgebobvance.nationbuilder.com/.
Ten current and former members of the Alabama Supreme Court, including three Republicans, have urged voters to pick Jefferson County Circuit Judge Bob Vance as the state’s next chief justice. Also many political leaders in the state from both parties are endorsing Bob Vance as well! So the Geek Alabama endorsement for Chief Justice of Alabama is Bob Vance! Let me say if another great candidate was running as a Republican I would have endorsed that candidate. Here is a great interview from Magic City Post!
Geek Alabama Recommendation: Bob Vance
President Public Service Commission
This race could be big for the Republican Party. If Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh wins and Roy Moore wins all statewide offices in Alabama would be held by Republicans. That would be the first time since the late 19th century. Natalie Davis, professor of political science at Birmingham-Southern College said “I’m not sure what the exact number of years are, maybe 136, but you have to go back to just after the Civil War to find no Democrats in a state office. If Lucy Baxley and Bob Vance are defeated, I think it will be a generation or more before we see the Democratic Party again be a player on the state stage.”
I think many people in this election are going to vote straight party ticket for the Republicans. And this will benefit Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh; I am endorsing Cavanaugh for president of the PSC.
Geek Alabama Recommendation: Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh
Circuit Clerk of Calhoun County
Geek Alabama Recommendation: Missy Hall
People in Alabama are voting for eleven amendments on Tuesday. This does not include any local amendments in each county. All of this purely means Alabama needs to reform its 1901 State Constitution which is the longest in the world. Below I will describe each state amendment and I give you my vote suggestion.
Amendment 1:
Extend payments to the Forever Wild Land Trust for the next 20 years, ending with fiscal year 2031-2032. Forever Wild buys land to increase the size of state parks, wildlife management areas, and creates new recreational trails and nature preserves. Forever Wild receives the majority of its funding from distributed interest from natural gas royalties and matching federal grants.
This amendment vote has been talked about the most. Alabama created Forever Wild back in 1992 to purchase lands from revenue in the oil and gas trust fund. The program has protected countless plants and wildlife crucial to our ecosystem and expanded the public’s access to land, providing even more recreational opportunities in a state already known for its beautiful outdoors. Alabama has the lowest amount of publicly owned land in the country and Forever Wild has been a benefit for Alabama. Here is a video from Alabamians for Forever Wild http://www.alabamiansforforeverwild.org./.
The opposition from the group Forever Wild May Not Be Wild Forever says the Forever Wild program could bring in the Agenda 21 program from the U.N. Also they say the state can not afford to continue the program. I find this all hogwash! Here is the video from the opposing group. http://www.notforeverwild.org
Alabama ranks fifth highest in terms of diversity of plants and animals in the world. And Forever Wild has changed the state forever. One great example is the Coldwater Mountain Bike Trails in Calhoun County. I think this program needs to continue!
Geek Alabama Recommendation: VOTE YES.
Amendment 2:
Allow the State to refund and repurchase general obligation bonds at a lower interest rate, which could result in savings for the State. Amendment 2 will also allow the State to issue more general obligation bonds as the bond obligations are paid, with a cap of $750 million in outstanding debt.
This amendment is good for Alabama. It will save the state money and bring new jobs!
Geek Alabama Recommendation: VOTE YES.
Amendment 3:
Define the Stockton Landmark District within Baldwin County and also prohibit local lawmakers from agreeing to any annexation of property within the district into a municipality. The historical landmark community of Stockton wants to preserve its historic nature. Under the Amendment, parts of Stockton may still be annexed through the unanimous consent of land owners.
Geek Alabama Recommendation: Unless you live in Baldwin County abstain from voting. VOTE YES.
Amendment 4:
Remove language in the Alabama State Constitution relating to racial segregation in schools and the imposition of poll taxes.
This amendment has drawn controversy in Alabama. If this amendment passes it would remove language involving segregation in schools and poll taxes. The Alabama Education Association is running ads telling folks that if this amendment vote passes it would remove the right to a public education. If Alabama removed the right to a public education this state would be screwed so I don’t buy this!
Geek Alabama Recommendation: VOTE YES.
Amendment 5:
Provide the transfer of assets and liabilities of the Water Works and Sewer Board of the City of Prichard to the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the City of Mobile. This move may lower prices for citizens who are currently served by the Prichard Water Works and Sewer Board, and could ease the fiscal burden on the Prichard Municipal government.
Geek Alabama Recommendation: Unless you live in Mobile County Abstain from voting. VOTE YES.
Amendment 6:
Prohibit mandatory participation in any health care system. Prohibit, through state law, the imposition of fines or penalties upon health care providers for accepting direct payment for lawful health care services. Amendment 6 is Alabama’s attempt to reject the mandates contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Geek Alabama Recommendation: VOTE YES. But this vote will not matter as a state law or amendment can not override a federal law.
Amendment 7:
Guarantee the right of individuals to vote for public office, public votes on referenda, or votes of employee representation by secret ballot. Amendment 7 is designed to protect Alabamians from threat or coercion when deciding how to best represent their interests.
Geek Alabama Recommendation: VOTE YES.
Amendment 8:
Repeal existing laws regarding the compensation and expense reimbursement of the members of the Alabama State Legislature. Tie the annual basic compensation of every member of the Legislature to the median annual household income in Alabama. Amendment 8 is a much needed clarification of legislative pay and will ensure that all legislators’ pay rises and falls with that of the people they represent.
Geek Alabama Recommendation: VOTE YES! The lawmakers pay needs to be cut!
Amendment 9:
Replaces outdated language concerning the categorization of certain corporations. Continues the authority of the Legislature to pass general laws pertaining to corporations and other entities and to regulate and impose a business privilege tax on corporations and other entities. Amendment 9 is one of two “clean up” amendments on the ballot and does not impose or authorize any new taxes.
Geek Alabama Recommendation: VOTE YES. But I would like to see Constitutional reform!
Amendment 10:
Revise and recompile the sections of the Constitution concerning banks and banking. Amendment 10 is the other “clean up” amendment and updates Alabama’s current banking practices. This amendment will prohibit the state from becoming a stockholder in any bank or banking corporation.
Geek Alabama Recommendation: VOTE YES. But I would like to see Constitutional reform!
Amendment 11:
This final amendment is specific to Lawrence County. It prohibits any municipality outside of Lawrence County from imposing regulations or taxes in that county.
Geek Alabama Recommendation: Unless you live in Lawrence County Abstain from voting. VOTE NO.
Related articles
- State GOP says Bob Vance failed to report 2008 donation to Obama (al.com)
- Former justices endorse Bob Vance for chief justice (al.com)
- Amendment endorsements by the Alabama Media Group Editorial Board (Our View) (al.com)
- Why you should hire Bob Vance over Roy Moore (Editorial) (al.com)
- The Georgina Chronicles / Clinics Vote Today (geekalabama.com)
