FRANKFORT (Kentucky Today) – A proposed Constitutional Amendment that would automatically restore voting rights to most convicted felons after they complete all the terms of their sentence was discussed on Tuesday, by the General Assembly’s Interim Joint Committee on Local Government.
The bipartisan presentation was made by Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, and Sen. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, both of whom are advocating passing the legislation during the 2026 legislative session, then allowing voters to decide in the November 2026 General Election.
Higdon told the panel he sponsored a similar measure during the 2020 session. “We passed my bill out of the Senate and it went to the House. I believe it would have passed, but we cut the session short due to COVID.”
He testified that not everyone would be eligible for automatic restoration. That includes those convicted of treason, bribery in an election, sex offenses, violent crimes and crimes committed against a child.
Higdon also noted that Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order after taking office in 2019, which permits those who have completed their sentences to also run for office. “But if a future governor does away with that executive order, which is possible, then that person would have to leave office. Those folks who have served their time need to get that privilege of voting back.”
Herron said, “It is my belief that once someone has been convicted of a crime and done their time, a part of them coming out and being a citizen and being whole is they should be able to vote again.”
She pointed out the Kentucky is in the minority of the states regarding this issue. ”Kentucky is one of three states that does not do automatic restoration of voting rights. I am in deep belief that we should do this.”
According to Herron, a poll showed that 77 percent of Kentuckians support such a Constitutional Amendment.
The two say they plan to have a bill ready for consideration during the 2026 session when it begins in January.
