Kentucky Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Amendment (2020)
| Kentucky Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Amendment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 2020 | |
| Topic Suffrage | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type Constitutional amendment | Origin State legislature |
The Kentucky Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Amendment was not on the ballot in Kentucky as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020.[1]
The proposed amendment would have authorized the Kentucky General Assembly to provide for restoring the right to vote for certain felons.[2]
As of 2020, Kentucky was one of three states—the two others are Iowa and Virginia—where convicted felons do not regain the right to vote, until and unless a state officer or board restores an individual's voting rights.
Text of the measure
The full text of the amendment can be found here.
Background
Convicted felons voting laws
As of 2020, Kentucky was one of three states—the two others are Iowa and Virginia—where convicted felons do not regain the right to vote, until and unless a state officer or board restores an individual's voting rights. Of the 50 states, two states—Maine and Vermont—do not rescind the right to vote for convicted felons, allowing them to vote while incarcerated; 14 states and Washington, D.C., restore voting rights upon completion of a prison sentence; four states restore voting rights upon completion of prison and parole time; 19 states restore the right to vote after prison time, parole, and probation are completed; and seven states have systems where certain felons, based on the type or number of crimes committed, regain the right to vote. Florida passed Amendment 4 in 2018 to restore the right to vote for people with prior felony convictions, except those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense, upon completion of their sentences, including prison, parole, and probation. As of 2020, the implementation of Amendment 4 is being litigated. At issue is whether "all terms of sentence" includes full payment of restitution, or any fines, fees, or costs resulting from the conviction.[3]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Kentucky Constitution
To put a legislatively referred constitutional amendment before voters, a 60 percent supermajority vote is required in both the Kentucky State Senate and the Kentucky House of Representatives.
This amendment was introduced as Senate Bill 62 on January 7, 2020. On February 27, 2020, the state Senate passed SB 62 by a vote of 29-7, with two not voting. SB 62 did not receive a vote by the Kentucky House of Representatives before the legislature adjourned on April 15, 2020.[1]
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See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Kentucky Frankfort (capital) |
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