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Amendment on ballot for Marengo County municipalities to establish own golf cart rules

While most local political races were determined in the primary, polls will open for the General Election Tuesday to decide a number of statewide races and amendments. Of those amendments, one deals specifically with the use of golf carts within Marengo County.

Polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Polling places include: Hwy. 43 Voting Booth (across Hwy. 43 from county courthouse), Jefferson Community Center,  Rangeline Baptist Church, Church Aflame in Demopolis, Demopolis Civic Center, Demopolis National Guard Armory, Faunsdale Town Hall, Providence Town Hall, Linden Armory, Thomaston Town Hall, Flatwoods Community Center, Magnolia Community Center, Surginer Fire Department, Dixons Mills Fire Department, Sweet Water Town Hall, Nicholsville Baptist Church, Putnam Store, Nanafalia Mini Mall on Hwy. 10, and the Myrtlewood Community Center.

Local races that will appear on the ballot, but have only one candidate include Marengo County Commission Distict 1, Fred Armstead; Commission District 3, Terry Hinton Sr.; and Commission District 5, Michael Thompson.

In races for seats on the Marengo County Board of Education, Freddie Charleston, District 1, and Mike McAlpine, District 2, have no Republican challengers.

The following county candidates also have no Republican challengers: District Judge, Vince Deas; Circuit Clerk, Kenny Freeman; Probate Judge, Laurie Shoultz Hall; Sheriff, Richard Bates; and County Coroner John Scott.

Statewide, there are many competing races appearing on the ballot, including for governor where Republican Kay Ivey faces Democrat Walt Maddox.

For Lt. Governor, Democrat Will Boyd faces Republican Will Ainsworth. The office of Attorney General features Democrat Joseph Siegelman running against Republican Steve Marshall.

Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court sees Democrat Bob Vance Jr. against Republican Tom Parker.

For Supreme Court Place 4, Democrat Donna Wesson Smalley faces Republican Jay Mitchell.

The race for Secretary of State sees incumbent John Merrill (R) being challenged by Democrat Heather Milam.

State Auditor has Miranda Karrine Joseph (D) running against Jim Zeigler (R).

There are two contest races for seats on the Public Service Commission. Place 1 has Democrat Cara McClure running against Republican Jeremy Oden and Place 2 features Democrat Kari Powell against Chris “Chip” Beeker Jr., a Republican.

There are a number of state races that will be uncontested with only one candidate, including the U.S. Representative for the 7th Congressional District where Democrat Terri Sewell is unopposed.

There are four statewide amendments to be decided, as well as a fifth pertaining specifically to Marengo County. Those who vote “yes” to that amendment would be agreeing to allow municipalities within Marengo County to establish rules regarding the use of golf carts on city streets and public roads. If passed, a municipality could pass ordinances requiring golf carts to be registered and for owners to carry liability insurance if being driven on public streets.

The three statewide amendments include:

• Amendment 1 — if passed would allow for the for the display of the Ten Commandments on state property and property owned or administered by a public school or other public body. It also would prohibit the expenditure of public funds in defending the constitutionality of the amendment.

• Amendment 2 — would declare as public policy of the state to “recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children” and that the constitution of the state does not protect the rights to abortion or require the funding of abortion.

• Amendment 3 — pertains to the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama.

• Amendment 4 — would allow for a seat in the House of Representatives or Senate to remain vacant until a successor is elected in a general election, if the vacancy occurs after October 1 of the third year of a four-year term.

Further details on the statewide amendments will be available with the ballots received on election day.

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, November 3 issue of the Demopolis Times.)