LWV of Lexington works to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. We may take action on local government measures and policies in the public interest in conformity with the principles of the League of Women Voters of the US. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
2024 General Election Ballot Questions:
Voters across Kentucky will be asked whether to approve 2 proposed amendments to the Kentucky Constitution. Voters in Fayette County will also be asked whether or not to approve an Ad Valorem Tax for Public Parks. LWVKY and the LWV of Lexington have not taken a position on amendment 1. LWVKY and LWV of Lexington oppose amendment 2. The LWV of Lexington has voted to support the Ad Valorem Tax for Public Parks.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1
(The text of Senate Bill 143 can be found HERE.)
Are you in favor of amending Sections 145 and 155 of the Constitution of Kentucky to prohibit persons who are not citizens of the United States from being allowed to vote in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as stated below?
IT IS PROPOSED THAT SECTION 145 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY BE AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
Every citizen of the United States of the age of eighteen years who has resided in the state one year, and in the county six months, and the precinct in which he or she offers to vote sixty days next preceding the election, shall be a voter in said precinct and not elsewhere. No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in this state. The following persons also shall not have the right to vote:
1. Persons convicted in any court of competent jurisdiction of treason, or felony, or bribery in an election, or of such high misdemeanor as the General Assembly may declare shall operate as an exclusion from the right of suffrage, but persons hereby excluded may be restored to their civil rights by executive pardon.
2. Persons who, at the time of the election, are in confinement under the judgment of a court for some penal offense.
3. Idiots and insane persons.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT SECTION 155 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY BE AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
The provisions of Sections 145 to 154, inclusive, shall not apply to the election of school trustees and other common school district elections. Said elections shall be regulated by the General Assembly, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution. No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in said elections.
YES NO
WE HAVE TAKEN NO POSITION ON THIS AMENDMENT. SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Kentucky law already prohibits noncitizens from voting.
LWVKY and LWV of Lexington support the automatic restoration of voting rights for persons with felony convictions in their past. Learn more Here.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2
(The text of House Bill 2 can be found HERE.)
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?
IT IS PROPOSED THAT A NEW SECTION BE ADDED TO THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186, and 189 of this Constitution notwithstanding.
We urge you to VOTE NO on Amendment 2. read the information sheet from the kentucky School boards Association on understanding amendment 2 HERE
JOin the campaign to defeat the amendment with our partners at the Protect Our Schools KY HERE.
AD valorum tax for public parks
For/against: “ratification of the establishment of a dedicated public “Park Fund” program that will provide funds to improve and develop neighborhood parks, walking and hiking trails, nature parks, bike trails, swimming pools, playgrounds, dog parks, recreational facilities, and other related facilities for children, adults, families, and seniors to be financed by the levy of an additional two and one-quarter cents ($0.0225) per one hundred dollars ($100) on all taxable real property, effective January 1, 2025?”
