Alabama Senate Bill Aims to Allow Early Lieutenant Governor Election

Proposed constitutional amendment would create mechanism to replace lieutenant governor if office becomes vacant

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A proposed constitutional amendment in the Alabama Senate would allow voters to decide whether the state constitution should be changed to permit a lieutenant governor election during a presidential election, rather than waiting an additional two years for the next election of state constitutional officers. The bill is aimed at addressing a scenario where the lieutenant governor's seat is vacant because they have replaced the governor, died, resigned or been removed from office.

Why it matters

Currently, the state constitution has a provision for replacing both the governor and lieutenant governor if both offices are vacant at the same time, but it doesn't consider a scenario where just the lieutenant governor's seat is vacant. This has led to situations where the lieutenant governor's office could be vacant for up to four years, with the Senate president pro tem assuming the duties.

The details

Senate Bill 271, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, would allow voters to decide whether to change the constitution to permit a lieutenant governor election during a presidential election cycle, rather than waiting two additional years. The bill was approved in a Senate committee and awaits a vote in the full Senate. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, spoke in support of the legislation, noting the challenges of the Senate president pro tem having to assume the lieutenant governor's duties for nearly two full years when that happened in 2017.

  • Senate Bill 271 was approved in a Senate committee on February 16, 2026.
  • The bill now awaits a vote in the full Alabama Senate.

The players

Sen. Sam Givhan

The Republican state senator from Huntsville who sponsored Senate Bill 271.

Sen. Arthur Orr

The Republican state senator from Decatur who spoke in support of Senate Bill 271 during a committee meeting.

Kay Ivey

The former lieutenant governor of Alabama who replaced Robert Bentley as governor in 2017 after his resignation.

Del Marsh

The former Alabama Senate president pro tem who had to assume the duties of the lieutenant governor's office for nearly two years in 2017.

John Wahl

The Republican candidate for Alabama lieutenant governor whose entrance into the race last month was cited as a factor behind the proposed legislation, though the bill sponsor said it wasn't a direct result.

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What they’re saying

“The lieutenant governor's office could basically be vacant for four years.”

— Sen. Sam Givhan, Bill Sponsor (aldailynews.com)

“Some of us were here when (Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh) had to assume the chair for almost two full years. It is a real problem to run the Senate if they're (wearing) two hats.”

— Sen. Arthur Orr (aldailynews.com)

What’s next

Senate Bill 271 now awaits a vote in the full Alabama Senate after being approved in a committee.

The takeaway

This proposed constitutional amendment highlights the need to address potential vacancies in the lieutenant governor's office in Alabama, which could leave the position unfilled for up to four years under the current system. The bill aims to create a more streamlined process for replacing the lieutenant governor if the office becomes vacant.