Kentucky is one of only two states that take away voting rights from all former felons unless they can get a pardon from the governor (Virginia is the other one).  We are in the extreme minority of states who persecute former felons the most even when they have served their prison time, probation, and parole.  We think that after someone has served their debt to society, they should be allowed to return as a full member of that society, able to vote and have a say in the government.

KFTC believes that restoring the right to vote to all former felons upon completion of their sentence will strengthen our democracy. Therefore, we are working with a broad coalition of groups (see list below) to educate the public about this issue, help former felons learn about their rights, and push legislation to give Kentucky voters the opportunity to change the state constitution to allow automatic voting right restoration.

For the latest news about this campaign please visit our campaign update page.

"I feel strongly about this
country … and it’s disheartening to know that individuals like myself can’t vote."

Just because you’ve been convicted of a crime doesn’t mean that you can’t be rehabilitated or just get yourself back together.  Particularly with myself, I feel like I’ve changed my life and I should be able to be a part of the election process.  By denying that, it’s really denying my fundamental rights.

                                        - Robert Jones, Frankfort

Watch Robert Jones and other former felons tell their stories...

Organizations in Kentucky who have signed on to our campaign to restore voting rights to former felons include:     

• NAACP
• Kentuckians for the Commonwealth
• KY AFL-CIO
• League of Women Voters of Kentucky
• Catholic Conference of KY
  
• AFSCME Council 62
• KY Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression
• Addiction Recovery Advocates of Kentuckiana (ARAK)
  
• KY Council of Churches
• People Advocating Recovery (PAR)
• KY Mental Health Coalition
• Fairness Campaign
  
• Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Kentucky
• KY Domestic Violence Association
• Central KY Council for Peace and Justice
  
• Lexington Diocesan Council for Peace and Justice
• Fayette Chapter of The Women’s Network
• American Civil Liberties Union of KY
  
• Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass (TIA)
• KY Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (KBC-LEO)
• KY Jobs with Justice
  
• KY Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights