LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky residents have two consequential issues on the ballot this year that could confuse some voters. That's why you're hearing -- and will continue to hear -- officials pleading with voters to be informed. 

"We had some lines in 2022 because people showed up to vote, and they didn't know about the constitutional amendments," said Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams. "They had not read them. They were long. They were complicated, they were in legalistic language and they didn't understand them.

"And then they waited around in the voting booth and they Googled these things to try and figure out what they meant and what they'd do. Don't do that. Please don't do that."

There are two controversial issues on the ballot: Amendment 1 and Amendment 2. Amendment 1 contains language meant to ensure that only legal U.S. citizens be allowed to vote in local elections. CLICK HERE for complete details on that proposed amendment. 

Amendment 2 would allow lawmakers to direct public funds to private schools, potentially paving the way for charter school funding and voucher programs. Both proposed amendments are on the ballot in Kentucky.

If Amendment 2 passes, lawmakers could introduce a school choice program by the 2025 legislative session that begins in January. It asks voters whether they want the General Assembly to send public tax dollars to private schools.

On the ballot, voters will get the choice of Yes -- which supports the change -- or No -- which opposes it. 

The debate among supporters and critics has become contentious, and there seems to be some confusion about what would happen if it passes, and whether it would automatically fund charter schools. It turns out that's not the case, nor would it automatically create a voucher system. 

It would, however, pave the way for lawmakers to make those decisions starting in the 2025 legislative session.

And it's worth noting that GOP lawmakers already passed a school choice measure that was struck down by the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2022.

Public school advocates are certainly against passing the measure. They say it will divert resources from public schools. 

"Amendment 2 -- or the voucher amendment -- paves the way for our state to begin writing blank checks to private schools using our tax dollars that should go to public schools and our students," said Jefferson County Teachers Association President Maddie Shephard.

Supporters of the amendment argue that families should get more control in where their kids are going to school. Nicholas Spencer, Director of Policy at The Family Foundation, which advocates for 'God-honoring public policy in our Commonwealth,' is in favor of the amendment.

"We want children to access the highest quality of education that works best for their particular needs," he said.

Spencer believes Amendment 2 would encourage public schools to improve. "If you don't want to lose students, you need to make things right," he said. 

"We want children to access the highest quality of education that works best for their particular needs." Spencer believes Amendment 2 would encourage public schools to improve, "If you don't want to lose students, you need to make things right."

However, organizations, like the Protect Our Schools Coalition, are firmly against it because of the impact they believe it would have. 

"If we start to choose who is going to succeed and who is going to lose, we're all going to lose," said Felicia Nu'man, director of Justice and Policy Initiatives at the Urban League.

It has been a contentious debate, but voters will soon put it to rest when they cast their ballot on Nov. 5.

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