Kentucky 2026 ballot measures
In 2026, zero statewide ballot measures are on the ballot in Kentucky for the election on November 3.
Potential measures
| Name | Type | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Limit Governor's Pardon Power and Commutations Near General Election Amendment (2026) | State executive powers | Prohibit the governor from issuing a pardon or commuting a sentence 60 days prior to the gubernatorial election and until after the fifth Tuesday succeeding the election | |
| Kentucky Property Tax Exemption for Elderly Residents Amendment (2026) | Tax exemptions | Establish a property tax exemption for residents 65 years or older that exempts any increase to their property value from taxation | |
| Kentucky Remove Full Text Requirement and Allow Ballot Summaries for Constitutional Amendment Elections Measure (2026) | Ballot measures | Remove requirement that the full text of an amendment must be printed on ballots and allow the use of ballot summaries | |
| Kentucky Restore Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Amendment (2026) | Voting rights restoration | Restore voting rights for persons convicted of a felony not involving treason, bribery in an election, election fraud, a violent or sexual felony, or a criminal offense against a child |
Getting measures on the ballot
Citizens
In Kentucky, citizens do not have the power to initiate statewide initiatives or referendums. As of 2024, voters of Kentucky had never voted on a ballot measure to authorize a statewide initiative and referendum process.
Legislature
The Kentucky State Legislature can refer statewide ballot measures, in the form of constitutional amendments, to the general election ballot in even-numbered years. Kentucky requires a 60 percent vote in each legislative chamber during one legislative session to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 60 votes in the Kentucky House of Representatives and 23 votes in the Kentucky State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Historical facts
- See also: List of Kentucky ballot measures
Kentucky statewide ballot measures
In Kentucky, a total of 28 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2024. Eighteen (18) ballot measures were approved, and 10 ballot measures were defeated.
| Kentucky statewide ballot measures, 1985-2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number | Annual average | Annual minimum | Annual maximum | Approved | Defeated | ||
| # | % | # | % | ||||
Not on the ballot
| Name | Type | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Limit Gubernatorial Pardons and Commutations Near General Elections Amendment (2026) | State executive powers | Prohibit the governor from issuing pardons or commuting sentences from 60 days before the general election through five weeks after the election | |
| Kentucky Property Tax Exemptions for Property Owners 65 Years of Age and Older Amendment (2026) | Homestead tax; Tax exemptions | Exempt assessed value increases from property taxes for homeowners aged 65 or older |
See also
External links
