Disenfranchisement of Kentuckians serving time for misdemeanors

One of KFTC's major statewide campaigns is to restore voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society.  But a little know fact is that Kentuckians convicted of even the most minor misdemeanors who happen to be serving jail time on Election Day also lose the right to vote (Kentucky Constitution, section 145)

Note that Kentuckians who are in jail for, but who have not been convicted of either a felony or a misdemeanor, may request an absentee ballot by contacting the County Clerk in the county they are registered to vote in.   

“The following voters may apply to cast their votes by mail-in absentee ballot if the application is received not later than the close of business hours seven (7) days before the election:... Voters who are incarcerated in jail who have been charged with a crime but have not been convicted of the crime” (KRS 117.085)    

And of course someone who merely has a misdemeanor in their past retains the right to vote.   

KFTC Electoral Organizer Tayna Fogle has been working with those communities in jails near Central Kentucky to make sure that inmates who legally can are registered to vote and ready to request absentee ballots in October.