Staff Report
Montgomery, AL February 1, 2014: The Alabama Democratic Party’s State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) will meet this Saturday, February 1st at 11AM. The meeting will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery.
An amendment to insert Democratic National Committee language on diversity into the state Party’s bylaws has been submitted. Proponents of the amendment say it will ensure the Alabama Democratic Party joins the national party and welcomes all Alabamians into its tent.
SDEC member and sponsor of the amendment, Amy Shadoin of Madison County said, “The Alabama Democratic Party’s State Executive Committee is under-representing several groups including Hispanic, Native American, Asian, Youth, and other minority communities. It’s time for the Alabama Democratic Party to mirror the national party’s stance regarding inclusivity and to give these diverse demographic groups in Alabama a voice in our state Party.”
Advocates for the amendment have started an online petition with several hundred signatures to voice their support of an expanded definition of diversity and to call for the state party to allow debate and a vote.
Under the current ADP bylaws many key minority voter constituencies in Alabama have no guaranteed representation on the State Democratic Executive Committee. Should the proposed amendment pass, it will ensure that the ADP speaks for the broadest range of Alabama voters.
Similar diversity amendments have been sponsored at past SDEC meetings, but they were tabled without debate or a vote.
The SDEC meeting is open to all Alabama Democrats.
