State officials on Wednesday approved the ballot for the Nov. 3 election, including the two constitutional amendments regarding education funding.

Voters better pay attention, because figuring out exactly how to vote on the initiatives can be confusing.

Voters will first see a description of both Initiative 42 and 42-A. Initiative 42’s title reads: “Should the State be required to provide for the support of an adequate and efficient system of free public schools?” Its summary reads: “To protect each child’s fundamental right to educational opportunity, the State must provide for the establishment, maintenance and support of an adequate and efficient system of free public schools. The chancery courts of this State shall have the power to enforce this section with appropriate injunctive relief.”

Alternative measure 42-A reads: “Should the Legislature provide for the establishment and support of effective free public schools without judicial enforcement?” Its summary reads: “The Legislature shall, by general law, provide for the establishment, maintenance and support of an effective system of free public schools.”

The ballot also has a Legislative Budget Office fiscal analysis for both.

Here comes the confusing part. Voters can choose “approval of either, or against both” as Step 1. If you choose “For approval of either Initiative Measure No. 42 or Alternative Measure No. 42 A” you then move on to Step 2, which is to select which initiative you prefer.

So, if you plan to vote in favor of the citizen-led Initiative 42, you would vote “For approval of either,” and then choose “For Initiative Measure No. 42.”

If you dislike both, you would simply choose “Against both” in Step 1.

If you prefer the Legislature-placed 42-A, you would choose “For approval of either” in Step 1 and then “For Alternative Measure No. 42 A” in Step 2.

Crystal clear, right?