Kentucky voters reject school choice, Amendment 2

Voters reject proposal to amend Ky Constitution

Kentucky voters have rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow state funding for non-public schools. 

Amendment 2 would have allowed lawmakers to direct public funds to private schools, potentially paving the way for charter school funding and voucher programs.  

The amendment aimed to allow the state legislature to decide whether to implement programs like charter school funding or private school vouchers, without automatically creating them.

In a statement following the results of the vote, Gov. Andy Beshear said voters have "once again definitively stated that public dollars belong only in public schools."

“It is time our legislative leaders recognize the will of the people and get serious about ensuring that every Kentucky child gets a world-class public education—that means they should immediately get to work fully funding our public schools, including a raise in educator pay to address the teacher shortage and enacting universal pre-K for every Kentucky four-year-old," Beshear's statement continued.

Kentucky Students First, a group that advocated for Amendment 2's passage, said "students deserve better" in response to Tuesday's vote.

In a statement it said: 

"Our coalition of parents, educators, and concerned Kentuckians fought hard to change the status quo protected by Kentucky’s education special interests. Though the results may not have been in our favor, this campaign has been a powerful force for standing up to the Kentucky education bureaucracy. Perpetuating the low performance of Kentucky’s education system is a disservice to our children and our Commonwealth. Kentucky students deserve better, and our resolve to serve students over systems remains unchanged."

The passage of the amendment wouldn't have automatically funded charter schools or a voucher system. It would have left that decision up to lawmakers.

The ballot question read:

"To give parents choices in educational opportunities for their children, are you in favor of enabling the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below?