2024 Election Results: Kentucky Amendment 2 Fails

A controversial constitutional amendment that had the power to dramatically reshape Kentucky’s education landscape has failed, with 65% of voters voting against the measure.

The Associated Press called the loss at 8:42 p.m

Amendment 2 asked voters if they wanted to revise the state constitution to allow the legislature to spend taxpayer money on non-public education. The defeat means state lawmakers will not be able to fund a “school choice” program such as charter schools or school vouchers.

Kentucky Students First/Yes on 2 released a statement before the AP call, admitting that the amendment appeared to have been defeated in the vote.

“Our coalition of parents, educators and concerned Kentuckians fought hard to change the status quo protected by Kentucky special education interests,” the statement said. “While the results may not have been in our favor, this campaign has been a powerful force in standing up to Kentucky’s 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.”

At an Election Night party hosted by opponents of the amendment, Ed Campbell, president of the Kentucky Education Association, said “this victory” is important for teachers and students.

“The citizens of Kentucky have made it clear that investing in our public education is non-negotiable,” Campbell said. “Investing in our local public schools is an investment in the future of our great commonwealth. Our public schools, our coalition, came together, just as our public schools do in every community across the Commonwealth.”

Maddie Shepard, president of the Jefferson County Teachers Association, said she is proud of all the community members and teachers who worked on the campaign against the amendment.

“We are very excited about the future, and what we heard loud and clear tonight is that not only does Kentucky believe in public schools, but we also need to invest in legislation during this session,” she said.

Gov. Andy Beshear posted on Xformerly known as Twitter, thanks Kentucky for “protecting public schools. … Now let’s keep fighting for our children, our teachers and Kentucky’s future.”

What you need to know about Kentucky Amendment 2

Supporters protested that passage of the amendment would create more opportunities and lead to better outcomes for students regardless of their economic status. Opponents, meanwhile, started arguing the amendment would harm public schools, including by diverting funding from them.

Both sides received strong support, with Republican Senator Rand Paul arguing in favor of the amendment and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear arguing against it.

The General Assembly passed the amendment during this year’s legislative session because the state constitution allows tax dollars to fund only “common schools,” which Kentucky courts have interpreted as public schools.

Lawmakers have tried in the past to pass “school choice” policies, including a funding mechanism for charter schools and a tax credit scholarship program. But both bills were blocked by the court.

If Amendment 2 receives a majority of votes, lawmakers could implement a school choice program as early as the next legislative session.

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @[email protected] or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.