Kentucky has the fourth-highest number of people unable to vote due to felony convictions in the United States, according to a recent report from the League of Women Voters of Kentucky. This marks a concerning shift from last year when the state ranked seventh in the nation for disenfranchised citizens.
However, a newly proposed bill could bring significant changes.
New Bill Could Restore Voting Rights for Felons
Senate Bill 225, introduced by Democratic Senator Keturah Herron of Louisville, seeks to amend the state constitution to automatically restore voting rights to individuals with felony convictions after they complete their sentence, including probation and parole.
Currently, Kentucky is one of only three states—alongside Iowa and Virginia—that enforce a lifetime voting ban on felons unless they take specific legal actions to restore their rights.
If passed, the bill would provide thousands of Kentuckians with an opportunity to regain their voting rights without the need for a gubernatorial pardon or a complex expungement process.
Current Laws and Barriers to Voting
As of now, around 153,000 Kentuckians are barred from voting due to felony convictions, despite an executive order signed in 2019 by Governor Andy Beshear. The order allowed non-violent felony offenders to regain voting rights if they were pardoned or had their records expunged.
Since then, nearly 195,000 residents have had their voting rights restored. However, the League of Women Voters of Kentucky argues that the current system remains unreliable and inconsistent due to changes in state leadership and the difficulty of obtaining expungements.
Jennifer Jackson, president of the League of Women Voters of Kentucky, emphasized the need for a constitutional amendment, stating, “This is a wonderful stopgap measure that is in place right now, but we need a constitutional amendment.”
Why the Bill Matters
Restoring voting rights is a critical issue in Kentucky, where a large percentage of the population remains disenfranchised. Without a standardized process, thousands of individuals who have served their sentences continue to face challenges in rejoining society as full citizens.
The League of Women Voters believes a constitutional amendment is necessary to ensure consistency and clarity in voting rights restoration. In a press statement, the organization stressed that relying on gubernatorial pardons creates uncertainty, while expungement processes remain inaccessible to many individuals due to financial and legal barriers.
A Step Toward Criminal Justice Reform
Senate Bill 225 is one of several legislative efforts aimed at addressing rights for individuals involved in Kentucky’s legal and correctional system. Supporters argue that restoring voting rights is a fundamental step in reintegrating former offenders into society and promoting democratic participation.
As discussions continue in the state legislature, voting rights advocates remain hopeful that the bill will gain the necessary support to pass. If successful, it could mark a significant step forward for criminal justice reform in Kentucky and provide thousands of citizens with a second chance to exercise their democratic rights.
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