On Tuesday, voters in Arkansas and across the U.S. will address a historic number of education-related ballot measures. Michelle Exstrom, director of the education program at the National Conference of State Legislatures, notes increasing ballot topics related to funding for K-12 schools, community colleges, and school choice initiatives. However, passing revenue-raising measures for education is becoming increasingly challenging, as seen in states like California and Michigan, where local bond measures faced rejection in recent years. A significant number of local education bond measures are also on the ballot this election cycle, with many focusing on infrastructure repairs and improvements.
Among various education measures, school choice remains a divisive issue. Colorado voters will see a proposal to enshrine the right to school choice in the state constitution, which could pave the way for public funding into private schools. In Nebraska, a referendum will gauge the public’s support for an existing voucher program that allows state funding for private education. These measures highlight a national trend toward privatizing aspects of education, which generates debate on access to quality education versus public funding strategies.
While education policy hasn’t topped the agenda for major political figures in the current election season, candidates like former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have addressed educational topics, with Trump proposing to close the federal Department of Education and Harris advocating for early childhood education. Regardless, policy decisions remain at the state level. Notably, 14 states have education-related ballot questions this election, examining various topics from vocational scholarships to reassessments of state education governance.
In Arkansas, the proposed Issue 1 amendment would allocate lottery proceeds to vocational and technical schools, extending access to funds that have historically been earmarked for traditional higher education. Proponents argue this would enhance equity in educational funding, while critics of lotteries typically raise concerns about their exploitative nature, particularly for low-income households. Support for such measures reflects broader trends across various states, where voters are confronted with decisions that can influence funding distribution and access to educational resources.
California faces its own challenges with Proposition 2, which aims to authorize $10 billion in bonds for modernizing dilapidated school facilities. Advocates highlight the pressing need to improve educational environments, especially as many California schools do not meet basic facility standards. Comparatively, Colorado’s Amendment 80 presents a constitutional change that could significantly reshape educational funding and access, reflecting the ongoing debate over school choice and public versus private education funding mechanisms.
Additional states are tackling diverse issues related to education funding and governance. In Florida, for instance, voters will decide on whether to make school board elections partisan, raising concerns about the impact of political alignment on educational policy. In Kentucky, a proposed amendment could permit public funds for private education, while Massachusetts voters will assess whether to eliminate high-stakes testing for high school graduation. Across the board, these measures indicate a turning point in education policy considerations, reflecting the growing complexity and intensity of debates surrounding equitable education financing and governance practices in the U.S.