Alabama voters will get a second chance to remove racist language from the state's constitution in 2005, and the revised version will be "overwhelmingly approved" during a special referendum, predicts Dr. William Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at The University of Alabama.

During November, voters narrowly defeated Amendment Two — which would have removed the racist language — after concerns arose that added wording referencing a right to public education could lead to a future tax increase without voter approval.

"Revived 'Amendment Two' legislation will be introduced promptly once the 2005 regular legislative session convenes," Stewart predicts. "There will be strong opposition from African-American legislators to removing the right to public education language. I predict, however, that ultimately a 'cleaned up' version of this amendment will be approved by the assembly and put before the voters in a special referendum some time in 2005. I believe that the revised segregation-expulsion amendment will be overwhelmingly approved whenever it is proposed — if the language that aroused fears of possible judicially-ordered tax increases is removed."

Stewart says another piece of legislation will also generate much attention in the coming year. "I do expect a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriages to be proposed during the 2005 Alabama regular legislative session," he said. "I think that it will probably be placed on the 2006 primary ballot. However, whenever the measure is placed on the ballot, it will pass by an overwhelming vote, just as it passed back in November in all of the states in which it was voted on."

The veteran follower of state politics says while no aspirants will officially announce their gubernatorial candidacy during 2005, it will become clearer who has their sites set on occupying the governor's mansion. Look for Don Siegelman, Lucy Baxley, Tim James, Roy Moore and some lesser known candidates to test the waters in the coming year, but look for the state's incumbent governor, Bob Riley, to continue building a broad base.

"Bob Riley will run for a second term," Stewart predicts. "He will draw support from a broad spectrum of moderates, Republican and Democrat alike."

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