HeadIng into the final two weeks of his administration, Gov. Steve Beshear is scheduled to hold a press conference early Tuesday for an announcement on voting rights, an issue that has kept House Democrats and Senate Republicans at loggerheads for years. Officials did not provide details about the announcement, but lawmakers have long clashed over legislation that would restore voting rights to felons after they have completed their sentences.
Under Kentucky’s constitution, a felony conviction results in the loss of voting rights, and criminals must obtain an executive pardon to have their rights restored.
Advocates estimate that more than 243,000 Kentuckians are unable to cast a ballot due to a felony conviction – nearly 181,000 of which have already completed their sentences.
However, advocates said Monday that they were still unclear about the details of the announcement.
Full Article: Beshear calls news conference on voting rights.