‘I hope I did right by y’all’: Alabama voter jokes about statewide ballot amendment for Franklin County schools
A choice further down the ballot in Alabama stumped several voters across the state who poked fun at what they perceived as confusing language.
One statewide amendment was on the ballot Tuesday.
It concerned Franklin County in north Alabama.
If approved, the Franklin County School System would gain the ability to sell a large portion of land it owns in Walker and Fayette counties in hopes of selling or leasing it to a developer.
This was the language of the amendment:
“Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to grant certain sixteenth section and indemnity school land that is owned in fee simple by the Franklin County school system, is located in Fayette County and Walker County, and is for the exclusive use of schools in the Franklin County School System to the Franklin County Board of Education; and to provide for the distribution of any proceeds and interest generated by this land to the Franklin County Board of Education. (Proposed by Act 2024-301)”
Montgomery resident Dameion Henderson went viral on social media for his reaction to the ballot question.
“Franklin Board of Education I hope I did right by y’all cuz I didn’t know [what the hell] they was talking bout on that ballot,” Henderson posted to Facebook, suggesting he voted in favor of the amendment, which is poised to pass with 73 percent approval with about 23 percent of precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press.
Henderson’s post had nearly 9,000 shares by 9 p.m. Tuesday. The roughly 1,500 comments on the post included several other Alabama voters who were left scratching their heads on the amendment.
“I skipped it…I don’t know no Franklins,” one user wrote.
Another said, “I left it blank because I was so confused. What did they do to lose the land? Why isn’t it already there’s? I was not about to get involved in that drama.”
Several people were erupting with laughter over the discussion sparked by Henderson’s post.
“This is the purest thing I’ve ever seen! I love this state! I loved the laugh this gave me. Franklin County, Alabama has your back! We don’t [know] what for but we got you!” one wrote.
“I hope everyone did,” vote in favor of the amendment, added another. “After reading it like eight times it clicked and I was like GIRLLLLLL IF YALL DONT GIVE THEM BABIES THAT MONEY!!!”
The amendment needs statewide approval because it involves multiple counties, and not just one, State Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, earlier told AL.com. Alabama also does not have home rule authority, so individual county and local governments need the state legislature to support an amendment similar to this one for everyone in the state to vote on.