Around a table with mason jars full of sun tea and plates of Dallas Ratliff's famous spaghetti, KFTC members gathered yesterday in Stamping Ground to enjoy eachother's company, great food, and to talk about what we can do to build a campaign in Scott County to restore voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society.

"It was a lot of fun.  One of my favorite things in my short time as a member of KFTC is the way in which these events are not just about issues, but about people, and while the issues and politics matter, the culture and positive cultural change are at the heart of such a movement for more justice in voting rights," said Stan Stephens of Magoffin County. 

The event was a small fundraiser with Jobs with Justice and the Kentucky Social Forum, but it's also  a continuation of a remarkable two-weeks of community organizing in Scott County in which members have come together to build our voting rights campaign in the most critical senate district in the state - Damon Thayer's district.

Senator Damon Thayer is the Chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee and has the ability to allow a hearing for HB 70 to restore voting rights to former felons who have served their time. 

So far, he hasn't allowed the bill to be heard, but several dozen Scott County KFTC members have had numberous community meetings over just two weeks, educating eachother, writing letters to Thayer, putting up flyers, talking to neighbors, and more.  Members Amanda Loyd and Homer White each got a letter to the editor published in the Georgetown News-Graphic.

"I think we've accomplished a lot already, really," says Gail Ray, who's son is currently incarcerated.  "We're getting new people at every meeting and event.”

"This is an issue about education," says Amelia Cloud.  "If people knew the facts about this issue and thought about how unfair it is now that we take peoples voting rights away, they wouldn't stand for it.  We need to spread the word."

"My neighbor didn't know people lost their voting rights," added Gail Ray.  "They were really shocked."

We have several upcoming tabling events, at which we'll talk to people and expand our network,  including:
- Scott County Fair June 24th -28th
- Fourth of July Festivities – July 4th
- Festival of the Horse October 1st-4th

Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 9th at 6:30pm at the Ed Davis Learning Center, 151 Ed Davis Ln, Georgetown.  If you're near Scott County, please come join us!