Voter Empowerment
Restoration of Voting Rights factsheet
This fact sheet discusses proposed legislation to restore voting rights to former felons through an amendment to the Kentucky constitution.
Madison County members learn together and discuss opportunities for engagement at May chapter meeting
The Madison County chapter had a good, thoughtful chapter meeting this past Monday, May 20, in the beautiful Appalachian Center gallery at Berea College.
Democracy Voices - Sean O'Donley, Hardin County
Sean O'Donley lives in Hardin County and works next door in Louisville as a network maintenance technician for the cable company.
He also works on racing car engines with his dad (at O'Donley racing), likes to hunt, fish, and kayak when there's time.
"Though mostly I work," he tells me, smiling. "I stay pretty busy between my job and my family."
Sean grew up between McCraken and Caldwell counties in Western Kentucky and has lived in KY all his life. "I like it here and can't say I've ever had a reason to leave," Sean says.
He also follows politics. "Democrats think Democrats are smartest and Republicans think Republicans are the smartest," Sean says, laughing a little. "But I think we've all got to work together."
"Overall, I consider myself a Republican."
Although at 28 years old, Sean just recently got the right to vote for the first time in his life.
Sec of State town meeting in NKY a success
Last night, Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes held a second town meeting, this one in Kenton County, to gather input from the public about election laws and processes in Kentucky.
About 60 people attended in all, including representatives from local county clerk's offices, political party groups, and NKY KFTC members.
At the beginning of the event, Grimes recognzed KFTC and said that without us and other civic groups like the League of Women Voters, it wouldn't be possible to have smooth representative elections in Kentucky.
The format was simple - a 60 minute discussion facilitated by Alison Lundergan Grimes. There's a little context at the beginning and some recognition of County Clerk's office representatives, then the audience is asked questions like "What are your thoughts about our current voter registration process?" "18 states offer online voter registration. Should we try to move in that direction?" "What is your election day experience like?" and "32 states allow early voting. Should we allow no-excuse early voting in Kentucky too?" People throughout the room raised hands if they had input and after a few people spoke in response to each question, we'd move on to the next.
A few KFTC members were prepaired to bring up the issue of restoration of voting rights for former felons who have served their debt to society, but Grimes beat us to it. She expressed her support in no uncertain terms and many people throughout the room voiced their support as well. This included Jim Cole, a representative of the AFL-CIO.
Kenton County Sec of State Town Meeting on Elections
The Kentucky Secretary of State's office is setting up a series of town meetings across the state to review and recommend improvements to Kentucky’s election laws.
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