Mitch Ford, Tayna Fogle, and Ed Monahan testify for restoration of voting rights for former felons in Louisville.

It is estimated that more than 128,000 adults who have served their sentences have been disenfranchised in Kentucky as a result of a felony conviction.  Section 145 of the Kentucky Constitution states that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote, though felons may have their civil rights restored if they receive an executive pardon from the governor.

Working with a broad coalition of groups, KFTC members in recent years have helped create public awareness of this issue and are urging legislators to put the question on the ballot. KFTC believes that restoring the right to vote to all former felons upon completion of their sentence will strengthen our democracy.

In 2009, House Bill 70  passed out of the House quickly and by a very large margin.  The Senate State and Local Government Committee however, chaired by Sen. Daymon Thayer, refused to hear the bill, effectively killing it.

Current Status

The Voting Rights Amendment has been filed for the 2010 General Assembly, again as House Bill 70.  It has passed out of the House and has been assigned to the Senate State and Local Government Committee

Follow the bill's status in the 2010 General Assembly.

Take Action

1. Call 1-800-372-7181 (7am-11pm M-F before February 2nd) and ask to leave a message for legislators.  The operator will then record your name and address.  Specify that you want to leave the message for "Members of Senate State and Local Government Committee," plus your own Senator (if you don't know their names, the operator can look it up for you).  Leave a simple message like "Please vote Yes on HB 70 to restore voting rights.”

2. Join us for our Voting Rights Rally and Lobby Day with hundreds of people in Frankfort on March 4th!  8 a.m. to 1 p.m, meeting in Capitol Annex room 111, taking time from 1pm to 2pm for a powerful Speak Out with music in the Capitol Rotunda.  Please join us for the Speak Out and as much of the lobbying as you can.  We need you there!
3. Call 1-800-372-7181 (7am-11pm M-F) and ask to leave a message for Senators Damon Thayer, Robert Stivers, Tom Jensen, David Williams, Alice Forgy-Kerr, and Julie Denton.  Leave the message "Please vote Yes on HB 70 to restore voting rights."
4. Write a quick letter to the editor to your local paper about Voting Rights.
5. Write a personal letter to your legislator.  Even a simple, short hand-written letter can make a huge impact.
6. Join us for regular KFTC citizen lobbying days Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9am to 2pm in Frankfort.  Contact your local KFTC Organizer or Dave Newton, our Voter Empowerment Organizer
   

7. Become a member of KFTC or donate above your yearly dues.  As a grassroots organization, our strength lies in our membership.  Each new member gives us more clout in Frankfort, and your donations allow us to be the most active grassroots lobbying group in the state.