Arkansas Issue 1 of 2024 Voter Guide Fact Sheet-- Get the facts about what this constitutional amendment would do, what supporters and opponents say, and a sneak peek at the ballot title you will see on Election Day.
Issue 1 of 2024 - Allowing State Lottery Proceeds to Fund Vocational or Technical School Scholarships for Arkansans
Arkansas voters approved this issue.
Issue 1 was one of two constitutional amendments on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot.
The Public Policy Center has provided neutral information on statewide ballot issues since 2004. Download the full 2024 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide or click on the image to access a printer friendly version of our Issue 4 fact sheet. The information below is from our voter guide.
A Constitutional Amendment to Provide that Lottery Proceeds May Be Used to Fund or Provide Scholarships and Grants to Arkansas Citizens Enrolled in Vocational-Technical Schools and Technical Institutes
An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to provide that lottery proceeds may be used to fund or provide scholarships and grants to Arkansas citizens enrolled in vocational-technical schools and technical institutes
Arkansas senators and representatives voted to place Issue 1 on the 2024 General Election Ballot. The Arkansas Constitution grants the legislature the right to include up to three constitutional amendments on the general election ballot.
Constitutional amendments currently require the approval of a majority of voters in a statewide election. Election Day is Nov. 5, 2024.
Rep. Robin Lundstrum of Elm Springs and Sen. Jane English of North Little Rock
On Election Day, the ballot will show only the popular name and ballot title of this issue.
Every proposal has more text to it that further describes the proposed law. Read the complete text of Issue 1, or HJR1006 as it was previously known, on the legislature's website.
A FOR vote means you are in favor of changing the state constitution to allow proceeds from lottery ticket sales to also fund scholarships and grants at vocational-technical schools and technical institutes.
An AGAINST vote means you are not in favor of changing the state constitution. Lottery-funded scholarships would continue to be limited to students attending public or private non-profit two or four-year colleges and universities.
Overview of Issue 1
Arkansas legislators are asking voters to expand the types of educational institutions that qualify for state lottery scholarships.
Currently, lottery scholarships can be used at private and public non-profit two and four-year colleges and universities in the state. Issue 1 would also allow students to use lottery scholarships at private and public vocational-technical schools and technical institutes.
The legislature establishes criteria to determine who is eligible to receive the scholarships and grants under this proposal.
In 2008, Arkansas voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow the state to establish, operate and regulate state lotteries to fund scholarships and grants for Arkansas citizens enrolled in private and public non-profit two-year and four-year colleges and universities in the state. Voters approved what is known as Amendment 87 by a vote of 648,122 in favor and 383,467 against.
Sales of lottery tickets in Arkansas raised $114.7 million for college scholarships during the state’s 2023 Fiscal Year of July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023. Current lottery-funded scholarships include:
- The Arkansas Academic Challenge Program - This college scholarship is funded by Arkansas lottery proceeds as well as $20
million from state general revenue funds allocated by the legislature. In Fiscal Year
2023, lottery proceeds paid for $54,318,269 in Academic Challenge scholarships for
26,109 students, according to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
- Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship – This program assists students pursuing certificate programs rather than a college
degree in certain technical fields primarily at two-year public colleges in Arkansas.
In Fiscal Year 2023, lottery proceeds paid for $581,161 in Workforce Challenge scholarships
for 701 students. According to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, all 22
two-year public colleges in Arkansas have received funding under this scholarship.
A small number of students enrolled in certificate programs at four-year colleges
have also received funds.
- Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship – This scholarship helps fund college credits for high school students who are also taking college classes. In Fiscal Year 2023, lottery proceeds paid $2,596,826 in Concurrent Challenge scholarships for 13,982 students.
Vocational-technical schools and technical institutes are not defined in the proposed amendment. State legislators have the authority under the amendment to determine who is eligible to receive scholarships paid for by lottery revenues.
From the 1960s through the 1990s, there was a system of publicly-funded vocational schools in Arkansas that focused on teaching trades and specific skills through the Arkansas Board of Vocational Education, the predecessor of what is now called the Arkansas Workforce Development Board. Many of these vocational schools were later converted by order of state law into community colleges, which currently qualify for lottery scholarships as two-year public colleges in the state.
If approved, the changes listed in this proposal would take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
What Do Supporters and Opponents Say?
The following statements are examples of what supporters and opponents have made public either in media statements, campaign literature, on websites or in interviews with Public Policy Center staff. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture does not endorse or validate these statements.
- I think it’s time we opened up lottery scholarship to its original intent to also
include vocational education.
- This is the cornerstone of equity and opportunity
There has been no organized or publicized opposition to this proposed amendment.
- In general, someone may be opposed to lotteries or to expanding scholarships beyond private and public colleges and universities.
Video Summary
Public Policy Center staff summarize Issue 1 on the Arkansas ballot in the video below.
Filings with the Arkansas Ethics Commission
Groups that support or oppose ballot issues are required to register with the Arkansas Ethics Commission as a ballot or legislative question committee once they raise or spend a certain amount of money on their efforts. Visit the Commission's website to view these filings, which include names of people behind a group and how much money has been raised or spent.
| Support | Oppose |
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No opposition as of Oct. 7, 2024 |