Alabama Amendment Recount

On Referendum To Kill Segregation Clause In State Constitution

(AP)  Election officials in Alabama will begin recounting votes Monday on a narrowly rejected ballot measure that would have removed segregation-era language from the state Constitution.

The amendment was defeated by 1,850, or .13 percent, according to the final vote tally. Alabama law requires an automatic recount if the margin is within a half percent.

The amendment would have removed un-enforced language mandating racial segregation from the state Constitution, which was written in 1901.

Secretary of State Nancy Worley said she doesn't expect the recount to change the final election results, "if all the correct procedures are followed." She said most counties will finish the recount in one day.

Most of Alabama's 67 counties use ballots that are scanned into machines and the recount would simply require poll workers to run the votes through the machines again.

Opponents claim that part of the amendment could lead to higher property taxes by letting courts declare that education is a constitutional right and then order spending increases for underfunded public schools. Proponents said it would erase segregationist language many consider embarrassing.

Several legislators have promised to reintroduce the measure if it fails, removing the language that some believe would leave the door open for tax increases.