Voting rights advocates say it’s time to turn the tide for most of the 186,000 Kentuckians who are being denied a voice at the ballot box because they’re former felons who were convicted of nonviolent offenses.
The social justice group Kentuckians for the Commonwealth is one of nearly two dozen organizations backing a bill that calls for a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights automatically to nonviolent felony ex-offenders.
One person who would be affected by such an amendment is April Browning, Lexington, who served 15 months for drug possession four years ago. “My time is served. My debt to society has been paid, and it’s only fair to let us become a full part of the community once again.”
Kentucky is one of a few states that denies voting rights to former felons after they have successfully completed parole, probation or time served, unless they get a gubernatorial pardon.
Full Article: KY Ex-Cons Want Ballot Box Rights.