Abolish Slavery National Network
Removed the exception, 2022

Alabama.

Ratification of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, November 8, 2022. Alabama is in the enforcement phase.

Documents gathered and read September 28, 2026. Tracker entry ยท Where we stand

The constitution today Source text

Constitution of Alabama of 2022, Section 32.

That no form of slavery shall exist in this state; and there shall not be any involuntary servitude.
What the voters were asked Source text

Ratification of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, November 8, 2022.

From the official ballot statement.

The Constitution of Alabama of 2022 will only do the following: (1) rearrange the constitution so that similar subjects are located together; (2) remove racist language; (3) delete repeated or repealed portions/language; (4) place all amendments which deal with economic development together; and (5) arrange local amendments by county.

Source: Alabama Fair Ballot Commission, ballot statement, November 8, 2022 general election.

Enforcement

After the vote.

Established holding Stanley v. Ivey, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, CL-2024-0710, December 19, 2025. Alabama removed its exception in 2022. The State pleaded sovereign immunity against its own amendment, and the appeal lost because the penalties alleged were held not to be involuntary servitude. Why the remedy and the immunity waiver go in the text.

Enforcement in full

Who is organized

In Alabama.

The tracker lists no coalition contact for this state. Write to the network.

Documents

The record, to download.

Stated plainly
  • Alabama removed the exception through a recompiled constitution, not a stand-alone question.
  • Official arguments for and against have not yet been gathered for this page.
  • The certified results have not yet been gathered from an official copy.

Cite this page. Abolish Slavery National Network, “Alabama: The Punishment Exception, Removed,” https://abolishslavery.us/state-al.html.

You do not amend slavery. You abolish it.

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