Published: Nov. 5, 2024 at 8:46 PM EST |Updated: 5 hours ago Find more 2024 Election Results here. The amendment adds 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. “By putting this amendment on the ballot in the fall, it allows the people of Kentucky, not the courts of Kentucky, to decide if they want non-citizens to vote in local elections or not,” Sen. Jason Howell (R-Murray) told FOX19 NOW’s sister station WKYT in September. Kentucky House Democratic Caucus Whip Rachel Roberts (D-Newport) wrote in an OP/ED to news networks that the amendment is an attempt by supporters to “enflame anti-immigrant sentiment while further eroding trust in our elections.” To clarify, it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in any election in the U.S. As for Amendment 2, also known as “school choice,” an overwhelming number of voters kicked the ballot initiative to the curb. A spokesperson with Kentucky Students First, an organization that advocated for Amendment 2, admitted defeat before AP called the race. 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. Kentucky Students First Amendment 2 was a contentious topic for Kentucky as it would allow the General Assembly to create a policy that would use public funds to financially support nonpublic school education costs. Supporters, like Jim Waters, President of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, previously told FOX19 NOW that the “school choice” initiative would give families options and help improve the education system. However, the amendment left a lot of room for questions since it never detailed what that policy would look like. Opponents of Amendment 2, such as the Kentucky Education Association, are celebrating their win. Tonight, the voters of Kentucky have spoken loudly and clearly that they value and support their local public schools by defeating Ballot Amendment 2. Public schools are the heart and soul of every community across the commonwealth, and tonight’s results confirm that voters want public tax dollars devoted solely to public school resources. The Kentucky Education Association (KEA) proudly acknowledges the vital role that KEA members, our allies, and our communities played in the defeat of Ballot Amendment 2. This victory is a testament to the collective efforts of educators, parents, and community allies who rallied together to protect our constitution and the rights of all Kentuckians. KEA members engaged in grassroots advocacy in all 171 school districts and 120 counties across the commonwealth, sharing facts, mobilizing supporters, and educating voters on the devastating consequences amendment 2 would have on our communities. This grassroots movement underscores KEA’s commitment to ensuring that every student in Kentucky has access to a quality education free from discriminatory barriers. KEA members celebrate this achievement as a victory for equity, fairness, and economic justice in our public education system. It reinforces the belief that when Kentuckians unite for a common cause, we can stand firm and demand that our laws and principles reflect the values of our communities. KEA members remain dedicated to advocating for policies that prioritize the needs of students, parents, educators, and public schools, and will continue to work tirelessly to protect, improve, and defend public education in Kentucky. Kentucky Education Association