Hot Button Issues Go On Alabama's November Ballot

Alabama voters will have two constitutional amendments on the ballot in November during this election year. One would declare Alabama to be an anti-abortion state, and the other would allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed in state buildings like courts and schools. Both measures will appear as referendums on the general-election ballot. The anti-abortion item is considered largely symbolic, since abortion is still legal under federal law. Critics say the amendment would violate the separation of church and state and prompt federal lawsuits. Supporters say they’ll fight any challenge to the amendment all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The wording of the amendment, however, precludes using any state funds to defend it. It was a display of the Ten Commandments in the State Judicial Building that resulted in former Chief Justice Roy Moore being removed from office.