Alabama State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:	January 13, 2026
Session end:	March 27, 2026
Term length:	4 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$62,212/year
Members
Total:	35
Democrats:	8
Republicans:	27
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	Will Ainsworth (R)
Maj. Leader:	Steve Livingston (R)
Min. Leader:	Bobby Singleton (D)
Elections
Last election:	November 8, 2022
Next election:	November 3, 2026

TheAlabama State Senate is theupper chamber of theAlabama State Legislature. Alongside theAlabama House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Alabama state government and works alongside thegovernor of Alabama to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Alabama State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Alabama State Senate meets in the Alabama State House inMontgomery, Alabama.

This page contains the following information on the Alabama State Senate.

• Which partycontrols the chamber
• The chamber'scurrent membership
• Partisan control of the chamberover time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• Adistrict map
• Howredistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list ofcommittees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Alabama State Senate as of February 2026:

Members

Leadership

TheLieutenant Governor serves as ex officio president of the Senate but can only vote in the event of a tie. The president pro tempore holds the chief leadership position in the Senate, is elected from the Senate membership during each organizational session, and serves in the absence of the president of the Senate.^[1][2]

Leadership and members

• Senate president:Will Ainsworth (R)
• Senate president pro tempore:Garlan Gudger (R)
• Majority leader:Steve Livingston (R)
• Minority leader:Bobby Singleton (D)

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Alabama's state senators assume office the day following their election.^[4]

Membership qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

Members of the Alabama State Senate must be at least 25 years of age at the time of their election, registered voters, U.S. citizens for at least one day, residents of the State of Alabama for at least three years, and residents of their district at least one year prior to the general election.^[5]

Historical party control

Republicans won control of the Alabama State Senate in 2010. In2022, they won a 27-8 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Alabama Senate following every general election from 1990 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Before 1990

Democrats held majorities over the Whig Party for most of the early 1800s. After a brief period of Republican control following the Civil War, Democrats began winning large majorities. From 1902 to 1978, the Democratic advantage over Republicans never fell below 34-1. Republicans won three seats in the chamber in 1983 through special elections that were ordered after a federal court struck down the 1982 legislative map for violating the 1965 Voting Rights Act.^[6][7]

Trifecta history

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Alabama was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1993-1994, 1999-2002
• Republican trifecta: 2011-2023
• Divided government: 1992, 1995-1998, 2003-2010

Elections

Elections by year

Alabama state senators servefour-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. Alabama holds elections for its legislature every four years in even-numbered years.

2026

See also:Alabama State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for theAlabama State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isMay 19, 2026, and the primary runoff isJune 16, 2026. The filing deadline wasJanuary 23, 2026.

2022

See also:Alabama State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for theAlabama State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 24, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 21, 2022. The filing deadline was January 28, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Republicans maintained their 27-8 majority.

2018

See also:Alabama State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for theAlabama State Senate took place in2018. Anopen primary election took place on June 5, 2018.^[8] Aprimary runoff election took place on July 17, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018.^[9] The candidate filing deadline was February 9, 2018.^[10]

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Alabama State Senate from 26-8 to 27-8.

2014

See also:Alabama State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for theAlabama State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014; a runoff election took place where necessary on July 15, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 7, 2014.

In the 2014 elections, Republicans maintained control of the Alabama State Senate. Republicans increased their majority from 23-11 with one independent to 26-8 with one independent.

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in theAlabama State Legislature, a special election must generally be conducted in order to fill the vacant seat. In the event that a vacancy occurs on or after October 1 in the year of a regular election, the seat will remain vacant until filled at the regular election. Otherwise, thegovernor must call for a special election if the vacancy happens before the next scheduled general election and the Legislature is in session.^[14][15][16] The governor has all discretion in setting the date of the election along with the nominating deadlines.^[16][17]

See sources:Alabama Code § 17-15-1

District map

See also:Alabama state legislative districts

The state of Alabama has 35 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Alabama

TheAlabama State Legislature is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. Both chambers of the state legislature must approve a single redistricting plan. State legislative district lines must be approved in the first legislative session following the United States Census. There is no statutory deadline for congressional redistricting. Thegovernor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.^[18]

TheAlabama Constitution requires that state legislative district lines be contiguous. In addition, the state constitution mandates that state Senate districts "follow county lines except where necessary to comply with other legal requirements."^[18]

In 2000, according toAll About Redistricting, the legislative committee charged with redistricting "adopted guidelines ... asking that [congressional] districts be contiguous, reasonably compact, follow county lines where possible, and maintain communities of interest to the extent feasible." In addition, the committee agreed to "attempt to avoid contests between incumbents." Similar guidelines apply to state legislative redistricting. At its discretion, the state legislature may change these guidelines, which are non-binding.^[18]

2020

See also:Redistricting in Alabama after the 2020 census

On August 22, 2025, the district court struck down thestate senate map as a violation of Section 2 of theVoting Rights Act.^[19] On November 17, 2025, the court imposed a remedial map and ordered the state to use it in the 2026 and 2030 elections.^[20]

Alabama enacted state legislative maps for the state Senate and House of Representatives on Nov. 4, 2021, after Gov.Kay Ivey (R) signed the proposals into law.^[21] Senators approved the Senate map on Nov. 1 with a 25-7 vote.^[22] Representatives approved the Senate map on Nov. 3 with a 76-26 vote.^[21] For the House proposal, representatives voted 68-35 in favor on Nov. 1 and senators followed on Nov. 3 with a 22-7 vote.^[23] These maps took effect for Alabama's 2022 legislative elections.

District map before and after 2020 redistricting

Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

2010

See also:Redistricting in Alabama after the 2010 census

Alabama received its local census data on February 23, 2011. Because new state legislative maps were not needed until 2014, legislators began working on the new maps in 2012.^[24] The Senate approved a House redistricting plan on May 24, 2012, and after the House approved the new plan it went to Gov.Robert Bentley (R) for his signature. On July 26, 2012,Alabama Attorney GeneralLuther Strange (R) filed a lawsuit seeking clearance from a federal court that the state's redistricting plan for the legislature did not violate theVoting Rights Act (VRA). The lawsuit, a required provision of the VRA, was heard by a three-judge District Court.^[25] The Department of Justice approved of the new maps on October 5, 2012.

The following tables show the change in population in the five largest cities and counties in Alabama from 2000-2010.^[26]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Alabama State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated byBillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Alabama by year

2025

See also:2025 Alabama legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 4, 2025, and adjourn on May 14, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Alabama legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 6, 2024, and adjourn on May 9, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Alabama legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 7, 2023, and adjourn on June 6, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Alabama legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on April 7, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Alabama legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 2, 2021, and adjourn on May 17, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Alabama legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 4, 2020, and adjourn on May 18, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. On March 16, 2020, theAlabama House of Representatives announced a suspension of legislative activity in response to the coronavirus pandemic, canceling all committee meetings scheduled for March 25, 2020. The House was scheduled to meet on March 26, 2020, but a quorum was not expected. Both the House and theAlabama State Senate were scheduled to reconvene on March 31, 2020, in keeping with their original schedules. At that time, according to a statement from House leadership, "a joint decision [would] be made as to future legislative meeting days."[27] On March 31, 2020, lawmakers approved a suspension of all legislative activity through April 28, 2020. That suspension was then extended to May 4, 2020, at which point the legislature reconvened. The legislature adjourned on May 18, 2020.[28][29][30] 2019 See also:2019 Alabama legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from March 5, 2019, through May 31, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Alabama legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through March 29, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from February 7, 2017, through May 19, 2017. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from February 2 through May 4. The legislature held a special session from August 15 to September 7. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from March 3 through June 4. The legislature held a special session from July 13 to August 11. The legislature held a second special session from September 8 to September 16.[31] Major issues in 2015 Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included a $265 million deficit in the state's General Fund. If left unchecked, this deficit was expected to reach nearly $700 million in a few years' time. This fund provides money for the judicial branch, prisons, Medicaid and state troopers.[32] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through April 4. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included creating a new budget, a pay raise for teachers,Common Core and banning legislators from serving as lobbyists immediately following their departure.[33] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from February 5 through May 20. Major issues in 2013 Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included the general fund, maintaining Medicaid, raises for teachers, giving schools more flexibility over state policies, and gun laws.[34] Heading into the session, the general fund was estimated to be $200 million short of requests. 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in regular session from February 7 through May 16. It held a special session from May 17 through May 24 to address redistricting.[35] 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from March 1 through June 9.[36] 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12 through April 12.

About legislative sessions in Alabama

TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[37] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions,legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Section 48 of Article IV of the Alabama Constitution initially set the rules for the timing and length of sessions for theAlabama State Legislature, which the Senate is a part of. However, these rules have since been changed by state statute.

The Alabama Legislature convenes in regular annual sessions on the first Tuesday in February, except during the first year of the four-year term, when the session begins on the first Tuesday in March. In the last year of a four-year term, the legislative session begins on the second Tuesday in January. The length of the regular session is limited to 30 meeting days within a period of 105 calendar days. There are usually two meeting or "legislative" days per week, with other days devoted to committee meetings.

Thegovernor of Alabama can call, by proclamation, special sessions of the Alabama legislature. Thegovernor must list the subjects on which legislation will be debated upon. These sessions are limited to 12 legislative days within a 30 calendar day span. In a regular session, bills may be enacted on any subject. In a special session, legislation must be enacted only on those subjects which the governor announces on their proclamation or "call." Anything not in the "call" requires a two-thirds vote of each house to be enacted.^[38]

Bills can be prefiled before sessions, starting at the end of the previous session and ending at the beginning of the session for which they are being filed. The exception to this is for sessions beginning in March every four years.^[39]

TheAlabama Legislature has a constitutional session length limit of 105 calendar days.

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget,procedures for filling membership vacancies, andredistricting.

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Alabama are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? A majority of members in both chambers.

Authority:Article V, Section 125 of theAlabama Constitution.

Role in state budget

See also:Alabama state budget and finances

Alabamaon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. Alabama's fiscal year runs from October 1 and ends September 30 of the following year. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[40]

1. InSeptember of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year, budget instructions are sent to state agencies.
2. InNovember, agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor.
3. Bythe second legislative day of each regular session of the legislature, the governor must submit his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature. These dates vary from session to session, occurring as early as January and as late as March.
4. The legislature adopts a budget betweenFebruary andMay. It must pass with a simple majority.

The governor is required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature must pass a balanced budget.^[40]

Alabama is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[40][41]

Committees

See also:List of committees in Alabama state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Alabama State Senate has 21 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Alabama Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XVIII of the Alabama Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Alabama

TheAlabama Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Alabama requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A 60% vote is required from both chambers of theAlabama State Legislature during one legislative session to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 63 votes in theAlabama House of Representatives and 21 votes in theAlabama State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to theAlabama Constitution, a simple majority in each chamber during one legislative session is required to send a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote by the electorate is required to call the convention. Any proposed amendments approved by the convention require a simple majority vote of the electorate to be ratified.

See also

Elections	Alabama State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Alabama State Senate elections, 2026 Alabama State Senate elections, 2022 Alabama State Senate elections, 2018 Alabama State Senate special elections, 2017	Alabama State Legislature Alabama House of Representatives Governor of Alabama Alabama Supreme Court	State legislative elections:2026,2025,2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019, and2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Alabama State Senate

Footnotes

	v • e State ofAlabama Montgomery (capital)
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