What does a NO vote on Covington County Local Amendment 3 mean?

The sheriff would not gain this authority to auction abandoned, stolen and unclaimed property and firearms.

Can an owner still get property back?

Yes. An owner can claim it any time before it is sold, with proof of ownership the sheriff accepts, by paying reasonable recovery, storage and notice costs. For perishable items sold right away, the owner can claim the money for six months.

Who can buy the firearms?

Only gun dealers holding a current federal firearms license, by highest sealed bid, for cash.

Voters in Covington County. It needs a majority of those voting on it.

How many votes does Covington County Local Amendment 3 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 3?

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.

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.

Covington County Local Amendment 3 — Authorize the sheriff to sell abandoned, stolen, and unclaimed personal property and firearms, and to…

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 3:09 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

Immigration enforcement (ICE 287(g))

ICE's list of 287(g) participating agencies shows no agreement for Covington County's sheriff's office.

Under 287(g), ICE trains and authorizes local officers to carry out some federal immigration duties. From ICE's list of participating agencies, as of October 28, 2026. Whether to keep, change or end an agreement is up to the sheriff.

What it does: Relating to Covington County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to authorize the sheriff to sell abandoned, stolen, and unclaimed personal property and firearms, and to provide for the auctions and the disposition of the proceeds. (Proposed by Act 2026-322)
A YES vote means: The Covington County sheriff could sell abandoned, stolen and unclaimed personal property and firearms at auction, with rules for how the proceeds are used.
A NO vote means: The sheriff would not gain this authority to auction abandoned, stolen and unclaimed property and firearms.
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

The Covington County Sheriff's Office recovers abandoned, stolen and unclaimed property, including firearms. The Constitution has no Covington County provision setting out how the sheriff may record, store, auction or dispose of it, or where the money goes.
The Legislature passed HB612 in 2026 to write such rules into the Constitution for Covington County; they take effect only if county voters ratify them.

If it passes

The sheriff would keep a public, permanent record of recovered abandoned and stolen property (description, date and place of recovery, serial number) and store it safely.
Unclaimed property other than firearms could be sold at least every six months at a public or internet auction, after notice in a local newspaper for two weeks or posting at the courthouse for at least 20 days. Perishable property could be sold right away, with the money held six months for the owner.
Firearms unclaimed for six months could be sold only to federally licensed gun dealers by highest sealed bid, or destroyed.
Owners could reclaim property before a sale with proof of ownership, paying reasonable costs. Net sale proceeds would go to the sheriff's office; auction proceeds would go to a sheriff's fund used only for law enforcement purposes.

Who would notice

People whose lost or stolen property is recovered by the Covington County Sheriff's Office, buyers at its auctions, licensed gun dealers, and the sheriff's office budget. It does not change any tax.

How it got here

The Legislature proposed it in HB612 by Rep. Matthew Hammett (Act 2026-322). The House passed it March 17, 2026 and the Senate March 31, 2026.

Because it amends the state Constitution, it needs a majority vote. It is on the ballot only in Covington County, as Local Amendment 3.

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

Background

The amendment comes from HB612, sponsored by Rep. Hammett, which passed the House on March 17, 2026 and the Senate on March 31, 2026, according to the enrolled bill.

It would require the Covington County sheriff to keep public records of recovered abandoned and stolen property. Unclaimed sale proceeds would be held six months for the owner, after which the net would go to the sheriff's office.

Firearms not claimed within six months could be sold or destroyed unless otherwise provided by law, and the sheriff would have to keep a permanent record of them.

Put on the ballot by Alabama Legislature (HB612, 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 3 mean?: The Covington County sheriff could sell abandoned, stolen and unclaimed personal property and firearms at auction, with rules for how the proceeds are used.
What does a NO vote on Covington County Local Amendment 3 mean?: The sheriff would not gain this authority to auction abandoned, stolen and unclaimed property and firearms.
Can an owner still get property back?: Yes. An owner can claim it any time before it is sold, with proof of ownership the sheriff accepts, by paying reasonable recovery, storage and notice costs. For perishable items sold right away, the owner can claim the money for six months.
Who can buy the firearms?: Only gun dealers holding a current federal firearms license, by highest sealed bid, for cash.
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 3 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 3?: 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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