Omar Bennett
Kentucky voters will find two constitutional amendments on their ballot this November. One of them is Amendment 1, which focuses on prohibiting anyone who is not a U.S. citizen from being allowed to vote in Kentucky. If voters approve the amendment, Kentucky’s constitution will change to say, no person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in Kentucky elections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Vote | 5 November 2024 |
| Type of Vote | General Election |
| Number of Constitutional Amendments on Ballot | 2 |
| Description of Amendment 1 | To add the line "No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in this state" to the Kentucky Constitution |
| Description of Amendment 2 | To allocate some taxpayer dollars to private or charter schools |
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What You'll Learn
Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 1
Kentucky is known for its lenient gun laws, allowing residents to carry firearms without a permit. This constitutional carry state grants individuals the right to possess and carry guns openly or concealed under certain conditions. Kentucky's constitutional carry laws prevent local municipalities or political subdivisions from enacting or reenacting gun regulations. However, local ordinances may regulate firearm use for safety reasons, but permitless carry remains legal throughout the state.
In 2024, voters in Kentucky will be able to vote on changing the constitution in their state. The state constitution is a set of laws that say what the government can and cannot do. A change in the constitution is called an amendment. The constitution will change if enough people vote for the amendment. Kentucky's "Citizenship Voting Requirement" is about who is allowed to vote. If it passes, voters in Kentucky will already have these rules without the amendment. The amendment will change the Kentucky Constitution to say that "only" citizens can vote, instead of "every" citizen can vote. Voting "yes" for this amendment means you want it to become law. Voting "no" for this amendment means you do not want it to become law.
Amendment 1 asks if you want to add this line to the Kentucky Constitution: "No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in this state." Essentially, Amendment 1 focuses on prohibiting anyone who is not a U.S. citizen from being allowed to vote in Kentucky. Federal law already makes it a criminal offense for non-citizens to vote in presidential elections. Kentucky also requires registered voters to be U.S. citizens. The amendment has received overwhelming support from the GOP, but others have noted that there shouldn't be fear of that happening because of the already-stated citizenship requirement to become a registered voter.
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Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 2
The amendment would have allowed for laws to provide state funding for non-public education. It was introduced into the legislature as House Bill 2 (HB 2) and progressed through the legislature between January 26 and March 15, 2024. The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Suzanne Miles (R-7).
The amendment proposed in House Bill 2 passed the General Assembly in March 2024 along partisan lines. The amendment's supporters say that Kentucky public schools are struggling with poor scores, achievement gaps, chronic absenteeism, and other issues. They argue that the amendment gives the people of Kentucky the right to set education policy for themselves, rather than having it determined by people in the 1800s.
However, critics of the amendment argue that it would divert money from public schools and send it to private schools, compromising the quality of education available to all children in the state and eroding the principle of equitable access to education. They also argue that private schools are not held to the same financial and academic accountability standards as public schools and that lawmakers will not do right by public schools once they are freed of the constitutional requirement to fund them.
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Non-citizen voting laws
Kentucky is known for its lenient gun laws, allowing residents to carry firearms without a permit. This constitutional carry state grants individuals the right to possess and carry guns openly or concealed, provided certain conditions are met. However, certain places remain restricted from carrying firearms, regardless of constitutional carry laws.
Now, turning to the topic of non-citizen voting laws, it is important to note that non-citizens, including permanent legal residents, generally cannot vote in federal, state, and most local elections across the United States. However, there are some exceptions, as a handful of jurisdictions, such as Takoma Park in Maryland, do allow non-citizens to vote in local elections. This is because some state constitutions have ambiguous language around voter eligibility, stating that "every" or "all" citizen can vote, without explicitly stating that non-citizens cannot.
In Kentucky specifically, there was a push in 2024 to amend the state constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizen voting. The proposed Amendment 1, which appeared on the ballots during the 2024 General Election, asked voters whether they wanted to add the following line to the Kentucky Constitution: "No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in this state." This amendment aimed to address concerns about election integrity and voter fraud, although instances of voter fraud among non-citizens are rare. Ultimately, voters in Kentucky approved this amendment, along with voters in seven other states, including Iowa, Idaho, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
It is worth noting that, prior to the 2024 amendment, Kentucky's constitution already required voters to be U.S. citizens, and federal law made it a criminal offense for non-citizens to vote in presidential elections. However, the explicit prohibition on non-citizen voting in Kentucky's constitution provides additional clarity and reinforces the state's commitment to ensuring that only eligible citizens participate in the electoral process.
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Funding for non-public education
Kentucky is known for its lenient gun laws, allowing residents to carry firearms without a permit. This constitutional carry state grants individuals the right to possess and carry guns openly or concealed, provided certain conditions are met. Kentucky's constitutional carry laws also prevent local municipalities or political subdivisions from enacting or re-enacting gun regulations.
Now, for the topic of funding for non-public education in Kentucky, the relevant discussion revolves around Kentucky Amendment 2, which was on the ballots for the 2024 General Election. This amendment proposed to allow state funding for K-12 students outside of traditional public schools. Specifically, it would enable the legislature to fund alternative schools, such as charter schools, or provide tax-credit scholarships, vouchers, or education savings accounts that families could use at schools of their choice, including private schools.
Proponents of Amendment 2 argue that it would empower parents to make educational decisions for their children and create a fairer system by providing families with a diverse array of educational choices. They believe it will give policymakers the freedom to pass education laws that are supported by their constituents. Additionally, supporters claim that private schools are accountable to parents, who can take their education dollars elsewhere if they are dissatisfied.
On the other hand, opponents of Amendment 2 warn that it could divert much-needed funds from public schools, particularly in rural areas, and invest them in private institutions that are not held to the same standards of accountability and transparency. They argue that this could result in higher fiscal costs, especially when subsidizing the education of existing private school students.
The outcome of the vote on Amendment 2 will determine the future of education funding in Kentucky, either expanding options for families or maintaining the current system that primarily funds public schools.
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Kentucky's lenient gun laws
Kentucky is known for its lenient gun laws, which allow residents to carry firearms without a permit. This constitutional carry state grants individuals the right to possess and carry guns openly or concealed, provided certain conditions are met. Kentucky's gun laws do not require a state permit to possess a shotgun, handgun, or rifle. The state's constitutional carry laws also prevent local municipalities or political subdivisions from enacting or reenacting gun regulations. However, local ordinances may regulate firearm use for safety reasons.
In Kentucky, buying firearms from private gun dealers and gun shows does not require a license or permit. Private sales and purchases do not involve firearm registration, NICS background checks, or a waiting period. While Kentucky does not require background checks for firearm purchases, it is a criminal offense to sell or transfer a gun to a felon.
Kentucky is an open carry state, allowing anyone aged 18 or older to carry a firearm openly in most places. Residents aged 21 or older can also conceal carry without a gun license within Kentucky. However, those who wish to conceal carry in other states must apply for a concealed carry license, known as a Concealed Carry of Deadly Weapon License. This license covers not only firearms but also other dangerous weapons like knives and brass knuckles. To obtain this license, candidates must complete a recognized and approved firearm training course, submit the necessary documents, and pay a $60 application fee. The license is valid for five years.
While Kentucky's lenient gun laws provide residents with the freedom to possess and carry firearms, it is important to note that not all actions involving firearms are legal. Gun owners in Kentucky should familiarize themselves with the state's gun laws to ensure safe and responsible firearm ownership and avoid criminal weapons charges.
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