Alabama voters say yes to protecting pay for district attorneys
The amendment says district attorneys cannot receive a pay cut during their term of office.
Ethan Parker 
Alabama voters have officially cleared the way to safeguard the salaries of the state's district attorneys. According to unofficial results from the secretary of state’s office, 58% of voters cast their ballots in favor of a constitutional amendment during Tuesday’s primary, ensuring these officials are protected from pay cuts during their terms.
Aligning Protections
This new amendment brings district attorneys under the same pay protection umbrella already enjoyed by judges in the state. Because district attorneys are elected to serve six-year terms, proponents argued that this constitutional security is vital for maintaining stability in the office.
Legislative Context
The push for this change follows 2021 legislation that standardized DA compensation. Under that law, district attorneys elected after October 1, 2021, earn an annual salary of $140,000, with built-in 7.5% pay bumps for those who secure a second or third term. Additionally, these officials remain eligible for cost-of-living adjustments approved by the Legislature for state employees.
Rep. Jim Hill, R-St. Clair County, who sponsored the legislation that became Amendment 2, emphasized the importance of stable compensation. As a retired circuit judge himself, Hill noted that providing financial certainty is a key factor in recruiting and retaining top-tier legal talent who might otherwise gravitate toward the private sector.
"We want to attract the best people we can to be district attorneys and to be judges," Hill stated.
