Alabama adds pledge, prayer in schools to state constitution

Alabama voters on Tuesday voted to add Alabama Amendment 3, which required the Pledge of Allegiance and allowed student-led prayers in public schools, to the state’s constitution, according to preliminary, unofficial numbers from the Associated Press. On Wednesday morning, with 98% of votes counted, about 63% of the votes were in favor of the measure. Alabama law already required the Pledge of Allegiance and allowed student prayer, but Amendment 3 codified those provisions in the state’s constitution, making them harder to change in the future.

The amendment required public schools to conduct the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the school day. It also allowed voluntary student-led prayer during school hours. Students have the right to opt out of the pledge and prayer.

Has the Supreme Court weighed in on similar laws? The court ruled in 1943 that students could not be required to salute the American flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance if it violated their religious beliefs. The court in 1985 also ruled against an Alabama statute that permitted any teacher in a public educational institution to lead a prayer for students willing to participate. Justices said that the law endorsed religion, violating the First Amendment’s establishment clause.