Why does politics rank right after football as Alabama's favorite sport? Auburn University political scientist David Martin's third edition of the 1975 classic, Alabama's State and Local Governments, provides a unique viewpoint in answer to this question. Martin, a well-known expert on how government works in Alabama, also lets the reader in on the answers to some other intriguing questions, such as ... Why do voters in Chilton County cast more than one vote each?

Why does a municipal judge in Alabama have to be a lawyer, while a county probate judge does not? How much are the members of the Alabama Legislature paid? If you don't pay your Alabama state taxes, how will the Department of Revenue track you down? What questions does the State Ethics Commission complaint form ask? What prisons are located in Alabama and how long do inmates typically serve?

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Whether you are a public official, lobbyist, teacher, librarian, or citizen interested in politics, Martin's 288-page book offers the concise information you need on the state's governmental system. This volume is profusely illustrated, with dozens of charts and tables, and a detailed index, which allows you to find quickly answers to questions about Alabama government.

A valuable resource for anyone interested in politics in the South, Alabama's State and Local Governments will be especially helpful to those who want to compare Alabama's state government to the governments of other southern states.