Other than president, what’s on your ballot in Kentucky? This is what’s on the line
Voters will likely have their pick for president at the top of their minds as they go to the polls in the 2024 General Election Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Still, when it comes to the issues that influence their daily lives the most — the cost of housing, for instance — the outcomes of state and local races are often much more impactful yet frequently overlooked.
Across the state, voters in more than 100 cities and counties will weigh in on allowing medical cannabis businesses, and there are two proposed state constitutional amendments on the ballot, one of which will shape school funding.
In Lexington, voters have half a dozen contested city council seats, school board races and a proposed tax for public parks funding to decide.
Ahead of Tuesday’s election, more than 790,000 Kentuckians have already cast their ballot, either by mail or during three days of early, no-excuse-needed voting.
If you need help figuring out which races you can vote in, the first step is to look up your sample ballot. Once you’re familiar with your ballot, take a look at our 2024 Voter Guide. It contains a wealth of information about the candidates and where they stand on the issues. It can also help you understand the various referendums you’ll be asked to vote on at the polls.
Here’s what’s on the line for voters in Lexington and Kentucky more broadly this election.
What’s at stake for Lexington this November?
Seats for half of Lexington’s 12 city council districts are contested this year, which means voters will play a significant role in shaping the council’s composition and work going forward.
Several of the candidates running for seats on Lexington’s Urban County Council are campaigning on issues like police reform, housing and traffic solutions. Land use has been a perennial issue for Lexington with the debate centering on the city’s urban service boundary. Much of the conflict comes down to two diverging paths to the future: development or preservation.
Lexington’s need for more affordable housing is in conflict with a desire to preserve its outlying rural land, where many of the city’s iconic horse farms can be found. Can Lexington hold onto its unique identity and still meet the needs of residents who need places to live?
Recently among council members, a consensus has been building around expanding the urban service boundary for further development. Still, there are lingering questions about how that development should be shaped to best serve Lexington. Residents can influence this ongoing debate by voting their values.
Housing isn’t the only local issue on the line this election, however.
Lexington has more than 100 parks throughout the city and county, and data shows they’re well-loved by residents. According to the city’s 2018 parks master plan, 90% of residents use them, and more than 57% visit or use public parks at least once a month.
The problem is many local parks have overdue maintenance needs, and there are other desired improvements, such as new courts, trails and benches.
A local group called Vote Yes for Parks supports adding a new tax of 2.25 cents for every $100 of assessed real property. The group says it would amount to about $52.88 per year for an average homeowner in Lexington.
While you’re likely to see many “Yes for Parks” yard signs if you drive around town, there are some residents who oppose it in favor of alternatives. Your vote will help shape how Lexington’s parks are funded going forward.
Additionally, there are three contested school board seats, including in districts 1, 3 and 5. By voting in these races, voters will be deciding whether they approve of current Fayette County Public Schools leadership or if they would like to go in a different direction.
What’s at stake for Kentucky this November?
On their ballots this year, all voters will see two proposed amendments to Kentucky’s constitution.
Amendment 1 pertains to voting rights for noncitizens and would add language to the state’s constitution explicitly barring them from voting in elections here. For context, federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections.
While Kentucky’s constitution does not explicitly state noncitizens cannot vote in state and local elections, it does imply it. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, the state’s top elections official and a Republican, has said there is no evidence noncitizens are voting in Kentucky.
Amendment 2 has been much more widely discussed. Signs urging voters to vote either “yes” or “no” on the measure have popped up in yards all across Kentucky.
The crux of Amendment 2 is, if approved by voters, it would allow Kentucky lawmakers to provide state funding for education outside the public school system. This would enable charter and private schools to get the same kind of funding public schools receive.
Supporters of Amendment 2 say it will give parents more choices in their child’s education and encourage competition. Opponents, many public school representatives among them, argue it will harm public education by diverting taxpayer money to untransparent and unaccountable organizations.
Finally, voters in more than 100 Kentucky jurisdictions will see medical marijuana measures on their ballot.
Medical cannabis has been legal in Kentucky since 2023, and the state is preparing to launch its program in January, when the cardholder application portal will open for qualifying patients.
The decision before some voters this fall is whether they will allow medical cannabis businesses, such as cultivators, processors and dispensaries, to set up shop in their communities.
Do you have a question about the election in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.