Although KFTC members with the Restoration of Voting Rights Campaign failed in 2006 to win legislation that would restore voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society, no one seems discouraged. The campaign is gaining momentum and KFTC members and allies are looking to the next legislative session for a victory, and the time between now and then as a great opportunity to conduct research, organize and educate the public. 

    Restoration legislation in the form of House Bill 480 and Senate Bill 251 was filed and officially co-sponsored by 18 representatives including both Democrats and Republicans. KFTC citizen lobbyists also had many conversations with other legislators who were supportive. Relationships with ally organizations also were built and strengthened. 

    The legislation did not receive a hearing in the House or Senate. House leaders decided to not support any constitutional amendments this year, and Senate leaders were not interested in this issue.

    However, advocates feel their education efforts around the legislation was a substantial start and will give a boost to the bill in the 2007 session. 

    The largest restoration lobby day was on March 2. Thirty-four KFTC members joined allies in Frankfort to lobby legislators on this issue. They gave representatives fact sheets entitled, “No Taxation Without Representation.” Each one had a tea bag stapled to it to remind legislators of the Boston Tea Party and our nation’s commitment to democracy for all. 

    “I am a felon and I have had my rights taken away. I can’t thank you enough for working on this issue. It’s so important,” said Betsy West of People Advocating Recovery (PAR) during a debrief meeting for the lobby day. 

    Not all of the work on this issue took place in Frankfort. KFTC members headed up an effort, mostly in Central Kentucky, to send more than 700 postcards to legislators in favor of House Bill 480. They sponsored several showings of the movie Democracy’s Ghosts and held many other events aimed at raising awareness of the issue and putting pressure on our elected officials. 

    KFTC members and allies in groups like People Advocating Recovery, American Civil Liberties Union, the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression will continue to fight this issue into the 2007 General Assembly. Plans are in place to poll the citizens to see where they stand on this issue and to continue to educate the public through events like movie showings, discussions, press conferences and talking to people door-to-door.