Any city or town council of this state not currently electing its members from single-member districts pursuant to state law may, not less than six months prior to the regular general municipal election, by ordinance adopted by a majority of the membership of the council, divide the municipality into single-member districts (wards) of not less than five nor more than seven districts (wards). Provided, however, that the number of districts (wards) in any Class 1, 2, or 3 municipality may not exceed nine districts (wards). Such ordinance shall be considered only after two weeks public notice has been given, outlining generally the voting districts under consideration. The ordinance shall provide that candidates for election for a place on the council, where the council has been divided into districts, shall reside within the boundaries of said district (ward) for which he or she seeks election, and shall continue to reside in the district he or she represents so long as he or she remains a member of said council and further that candidates for election to a place on the council shall have resided within the district from which he or she seeks election for a period of 90 days immediately preceding the date of the election. Only electors residing within a district shall be entitled to vote for candidates seeking election for said district.
The ordinance establishing the districts shall describe the territory composing the district by metes and counts, or census tracts, and the municipal clerk, within five days after the adoption of the ordinance, shall file with the judge of probate of the county or counties in which the municipality lies a certified copy of such ordinance accompanied, by a map or plat of the city or town, showing the boundaries of all such districts.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.
Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.
Chapter 43 - Mayor and Council, Other Officers, Employees, Departments, Etc.
Section 11-43-40 - Composition of City Councils; Voting by President of Council.
Section 11-43-41 - Filling of Vacancies in Office of Aldermen.
Section 11-43-43 - Powers and Duties Generally.
Section 11-43-44 - Organizational Meeting.
Section 11-43-45 - Officers - Election or Appointment.
Section 11-43-46 - Officers - Terms of Service.
Section 11-43-47 - Officers - Powers and Duties.
Section 11-43-48 - Proceedings - Quorum.
Section 11-43-50 - Proceedings - Regular and Special Meetings; Cancelling and Rescheduling Meetings.
Section 11-43-51 - Proceedings - Compulsion of Attendance of Members.
Section 11-43-52 - Proceedings - Rules of Procedure; Journal.
Section 11-43-54 - Aldermen Not to Vote on Certain Matters; Removal.
Section 11-43-55 - Establishment, Organization, etc., of Police Force.
Section 11-43-56 - Management and Control of Finances and Property of Municipality.
Section 11-43-58 - Judging of Qualifications and Election of Mayor, President of Council, Etc.
Section 11-43-63 - Division of Municipality Into Single-Member Districts.
Section 11-43-65 - Filling Vacancies on City Council in Class 6 Municipalities.
Section 11-43-66 - Increases to Compensation for Members of City Council in Class 1 Municipalities.