Ala. Code § 12-17-253
In the event that there exists within the State of Alabama a judge of a court inferior to the circuit court in any county, municipal judges excluded, who is not qualified under the provisions of Amendment 328 to the Constitution of Alabama to continue to be a judge and whose judgeship is abolished by said Amendment 328 prior to the expiration of his term, then said judge may elect to automatically become a magistrate under this title for the duration of his unexpired term as a judge; provided, that such election shall be made in writing prior to January 1, 1977, and filed with the Secretary of State.
The salary of such magistrate, to be paid by the state, shall be equal to the salary such judge earned as such inferior court judge on September 1, 1975.
Ala. Code § 12-17-253 (1975)