Alabama State Senator, District 20

Linda Coleman-Madison has represented District 20 in the Alabama Senate since 2006, after serving in the Alabama House for District 60 from 2002 to 2006 and on the Birmingham City Council from 1985 to 1997¹. She holds a B.S. in education from Alabama A&M University and a master's degree from the University of Alabama¹. She is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot².

Where they stand 17 issues · tap any issue for the evidence

• MarijuanaMedical use onlymedium

  Voted · medium confidence

  • Voted for SB236 on third reading (roll call 683), which created a state medical marijuana program for patients with qualifying conditions (passed 17 to 6). (2019-05-09) source
  • Voted for SB46 on third reading (roll call 251), which created a state medical cannabis program (passed 20 to 10). (2021-02-24) source
• GunsAdd universal background checks and red-flag lawsmedium

  Official action · medium confidence

  • Voted against HB272 on third reading (roll call 480), which allows carrying a concealed handgun without a permit (passed 23 to 6). (2022-03-03) source
  • Was listed as a cosponsor of SB399, which would require background checks on firearm purchases from licensed dealers and on transfers between unlicensed people; it did not become law. (2021-04-20) source
  • Was listed as a cosponsor of SB170, the Gun Violence Protective Order Act, which would let courts order guns surrendered when a person poses an immediate danger; it did not become law. (2025-02-13) source
• Minimum wageRaise it modestlymedium

  Official action · medium confidence

  • Was listed as a cosponsor of SB171, which would set a state minimum wage of $10 an hour starting in 2027 and exempt employers with 50 or fewer employees; it did not become law. (2026-01-15) source
• AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low

  Said · low confidence

  • During Senate debate on the abortion ban, said the bill was not about the right to life but about control. (2019-05-14) source
  • Voted against final passage of HB314 (roll call 719), which made performing an abortion a felony with an exception for a serious health risk to the mother and no exception for rape or incest (passed 25 to 6). (2019-05-14) source
  • Was listed as a cosponsor of SB417, which would have repealed the 2019 abortion ban (Act 2019-189); it did not become law. (2019-05-21) source
  • Was listed as a cosponsor of SB220, which would have repealed the 2019 abortion ban (Act 2019-189); it did not become law. (2020-02-20) source
  • Was listed as a cosponsor of SB34, which would have repealed the Alabama Human Life Protection Act, the 2019 abortion ban; it did not become law. (2023-03-07) source
• Election rulesPhoto ID, but with free IDs and more early votinglow

  Official action · low confidence

  • Voted against SB1 on third reading (roll call 28), which made it a crime to be paid, or to pay someone, to help a voter fill out or deliver an absentee ballot application (passed 27 to 8). (2024-02-13) source
  • Was the lead sponsor of SB373, which would set up in-person early voting in general and special elections; it did not become law. (2026-03-19) source
  • Was listed as a cosponsor of SB376, which would allow any registered voter to vote absentee without an excuse; it did not become law. (2021-04-01) source
• Gender care for minorsNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against SB184 on third reading (roll call 383), which made it a felony to provide puberty blockers, hormones or surgery to a minor to alter gender (passed 24 to 6). (2022-02-23) source
• Transgender athletesNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against HB261 on third reading (roll call 550), which extended the biological-sex rule for sports teams to public colleges (passed 26 to 4). (2023-05-03) source
• School choiceNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against HB129, the CHOOSE Act (roll call 180), which created education savings accounts of up to 7,000 dollars per student for private school and other education costs, open to all families starting in the 2027-28 school year (passed 23 to 9). (2024-03-06) source
• DEI programsNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against SB129 on third reading (roll call 69), which bars public universities, K-12 schools and state agencies from funding diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs (passed 26 to 7). (2024-02-22) source
• ImmigrationNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against SB53 on third reading (roll call 96), which created state crimes of concealing or smuggling a person in the country illegally and set a process for checking a detainee's immigration status (passed 24 to 8). (2025-02-13) source
  • Voted against SB63 (roll call 86), which requires law enforcement to collect DNA and fingerprints from people in custody who are in the country illegally (passed 24 to 7). (2025-02-13) source
  • Voted against HB56 on third reading (roll call 608), the 2011 state immigration law that, among other provisions, required all Alabama employers to use E-Verify and let police check immigration status during stops (passed 23 to 11). (2011-05-05) source
• E-Verify mandateNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against HB56 on third reading (roll call 608), the 2011 state immigration law that, among other provisions, required all Alabama employers to use E-Verify and let police check immigration status during stops (passed 23 to 11). (2011-05-05) source
• Qualified immunityNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against HB202, the Back the Blue Act (roll call 1085), which gives law enforcement officers immunity from civil suits and criminal charges for conduct within their discretionary authority, with exceptions for reckless conduct and constitutional violations (passed 25 to 6). (2025-05-14) source
• Religion in schoolsNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against SB99 on final passage (roll call 979), which requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in grade 5 through 12 classrooms and common areas when donated posters are available (passed 28 to 6). (2026-03-31) source
• Kids onlineNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against SB187 on final passage (roll call 749), which would require app stores to verify users' ages and get parental consent before minors download apps (passed 26 to 6; the bill later died in the House). (2025-04-17) source
• School vaccinesNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against SB85 on final passage (roll call 493), which would let parents claim a religious exemption from school vaccine requirements without stating a reason and extend the exemption to college students (passed 26 to 5; the bill later died in the House). (2025-04-03) source
• Business regulationNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against SB71 on final passage (roll call 229), which bars state agencies from adopting environmental rules stricter than federal requirements (passed 27 to 7). (2026-02-03) source
• China policyNo single answer fitslow

  Voted · low confidence

  • Voted against the Senate version of HB379 (roll call 856), which bars the governments of China, Iran, North Korea and Russia and entities they control from acquiring real property in Alabama (passed 26 to 7). (2023-05-18) source

No public position found on: Safety net programs, Healthcare, Energy and climate, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Nuclear power, Redistricting.