LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky voters have two amendments on the ballot to consider, but not everyone fully understands exactly what those amendments mean. 

Constitutional Amendment 1 looks pretty lengthy on the ballot. If it passes, it will add this language to Kentucky's constitution:

"No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in this state."

Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams clarified why the amendment is on the ballot. 

"Right now, the Constitution says that all citizens can vote but it doesn't say that only citizens can vote," Adams said. "The goal of Amendment 1, which got bipartisan support, is to clarify that 'all' means 'only' and that we're not going to permit non-citizens to vote in our elections."

It may sound like Adams is arguing semantics, and that's what Amendment 1 addresses. The wordiness of the amendment will likely confuse an uneducated voter, but it's basically asking voters to alter the Constitution to specifically prohibit non-citizen voting in all elections.

Adams said that's already the case in Kentucky. The law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections, but at least 18 localities currently allow legal non-citizens to vote in local elections. Now, Kentucky is joining seven other states that have a similar measure on the ballot.

"That's my policy," Adams said. "It would be nice to have the Constitution reflect our policy explicitly so we don't have any risk of litigation over what we do."

Tres Watson, with the group Americans for Citizens Voting Kentucky, said the new law would be a "preventative measure to stop any community who might look to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections in the future."

Voters will cast their ballots on Amendment 1 during Election Day.

Former state Rep. Attica Scott believes the amendment is unnecessary and worries it would stir up hate.

"Now you've opened the door to enforcement questions," Scott said. "So will you start asking someone you think is an immigrant or a refugee to show us your papers when you go to vote? It doesn't make sense to me."

It's lengthy and confusing, but it's up to voters to decide.

To read more about Amendment 1, click here.

To view a sample ballot for your county, click here. The deadline to register to vote in Kentucky has passed. To check your voter registration status, click here.

In-person, excused absentee voting in Jefferson County continues from Oct. 28-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Phillips Lane. To review in-person, excused absentee voting qualifications, click here.

Adams said in a social media post on Oct. 28 that early voting so far has been very successful in Kentucky, with 16,441 Kentuckians taking advantage of the opportunity, including 9,739 Republicans, 5,690 Democrats and 1,012 Others.  

In-person, no-excuse absentee/"early voting" starts Oct. 31 in Kentucky. To look at early voting locations and hours, click here. For information about mail-in absentee voting, click here.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

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