Covington County Local Amendment 1 — Authorize the Judge of Probate of Covington County to exercise equity jurisdiction concurrent with that of…

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does
Relating to Covington County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to authorize the Judge of Probate of Covington County to exercise equity jurisdiction concurrent with that of the circuit court in cases originally filed in the Probate Court of Covington County if the judge of probate is licensed to practice law in the State of Alabama. (Proposed by Act 2026-3)
A YES vote means
The Covington County Judge of Probate, if licensed to practice law in Alabama, could hear equity cases filed in Probate Court with the same authority as the circuit court.
A NO vote means
The Covington County Judge of Probate would not gain this equity jurisdiction.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

  • Equity jurisdiction (the court's power to order remedies such as injunctions, not just money damages) is exercised by the circuit court. Covington County's Judge of Probate has no constitutional authority to share it, even in cases first filed in Probate Court.
  • The Constitution has no provision letting Covington County's Judge of Probate hear equity matters with a circuit judge's powers. Other counties have asked for similar powers through their own local amendments; for example, the Legislature proposed one for Morgan County in 2025.

If it passes

  • The Judge of Probate of Covington County could exercise equity jurisdiction alongside the circuit court in cases first filed in the county's Probate Court.
  • This applies only if the judge of probate is licensed to practice law in Alabama.
  • In those cases the judge of probate would have the powers of a circuit judge, the case would be treated the same as one filed in circuit court, and the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure would apply.
  • The amendment would take effect on its own once ratified, though the Legislature could pass laws to carry it out.

Who would notice

People with cases filed in the Covington County Probate Court, and the county's judge of probate. It does not change any tax.

How it got here

The Legislature proposed it in HB84 by Rep. Matthew Hammett (Act 2026-3). The House passed it January 20, 2026 and the Senate January 22, 2026.

Because it amends the state Constitution, it takes effect only if a majority of voters approve it. It is on the ballot only in Covington County, as Local Amendment 1.

Written by SpectrumVote from 4 linked sources (1, 2, 3, 4). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

The amendment comes from HB84, sponsored by Rep. Hammett, which passed the House on January 20, 2026 and the Senate on January 22, 2026, according to the enrolled bill.

It would let the Covington County probate judge hear equity cases filed in probate court, with the same power as a circuit judge, but only if the judge is licensed to practice law in Alabama. The Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure would apply.

The bill describes the amendment as self-executing, though the Legislature may pass implementing laws.

Put on the ballot by Alabama Legislature (HB84, 2026 Regular Session).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Covington County Local Amendment 1 mean?
The Covington County Judge of Probate, if licensed to practice law in Alabama, could hear equity cases filed in Probate Court with the same authority as the circuit court.
What does a NO vote on Covington County Local Amendment 1 mean?
The Covington County Judge of Probate would not gain this equity jurisdiction.
Would every probate judge in Covington County get these powers?
Only a judge of probate who is licensed to practice law in Alabama could use them.
Does this move cases out of circuit court?
The text says the probate judge's equity jurisdiction would be concurrent with the circuit court's, in cases originally filed in Probate Court. It does not take away circuit court jurisdiction.
Who votes on it?
Voters in Covington County. It needs a majority of those voting on it.
How many votes does Covington County Local Amendment 1 need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Covington County Local Amendment 1?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Covington County ballot.

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