Restoration of Voting Rights for Former Felons (HB 70) Update
House Bill 70, the Restoration of Voting Rights for Former Felons bill, is gaining some momentum in Frankfort with lots of help from KFTC members.
Central KY members Jenn Myatt, Tayna Fogle, and Jonathan Hampton lobbying for HB 70 in Frankfort.
Lobbying so far has focused on bringing co-sponsors last year back onto the bill, and is starting to focus on lining up House Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee votes in preparation of a hearing on February 5th at 8 a.m.
Knowing that Rep. Jim Glenn became a co-sponsor for HB 70 after my group talked to him gives me a sense of accomplishment for participating in the legislative process. It would be great if many other people came to the lobby day on the 28th to experience this as well. As a volunteer lobbyist, I’ve learned that you can make a real difference. --Jenn Myatt, Central Kentucky member
Members are also continuing to keep up the ground work to raise public awareness of the issue in communities across the state, by getting hundreds of postcards to legislators signed, passing out hundreds of handbills about the issue in the recent Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom March in Lexington earlier this week, and planning future public education events (please schedule one in your area along with your local organizer!)
"We want to empty the recovery houses all over the state and bring hundreds of former felons and supporters out on Feb 28th" --Tayna Fogle, NKY member
There are lots of upcoming events, but the largest is the big focus lobby day on February 28th. KFTC will head up the citizen lobbying effort that day, along with many ally organizations. Coalition partner People Advocating Recovery (PAR) is in the process of mobilizing former felons and other people in recovery by the hundreds to also come out that day, to rally and speak out on Restoration.
"We want to empty the recovery houses all over the state and bring hundreds of former felons and supporters out on Feb 28th," says Tayna Fogle – a former felons spokesperson who has put a lot of effort into bringing the day together.
In other exciting news, Representative Jody Richards, Speaker of the House, recently joined many other legislators in co-sponsoring this bill – a strong sign that House Leadership supports this bill. KFTC Members hop that we can pass the bill through the House quickly so we can spend as much time as possible putting pressure on the Senate, where the bill faltered last year.
Upcoming Restoration Events
HB 70 Hearing – Tuesday, February 5th at 8 a.m. in Frankfort in the House Elections and Constitutional Amendments committee on the 1st floor of the Capitol Annex.
Restoration of Voting Rights Spokesperson Training – Saturday, February 9th at 2 p.m. at Hunter Presbyterian Church in Lexington. We’ll bring together former felons from across the state to share our stories about not being able to vote, talk about how these personal stories are powerful, and get comfortable telling them to people in our communities, legislators, and the media.
UK Restoration Event – Tuesday, February 19th at 7pm at the Catholic Newman Center. A mix of videos and speakers including Rep Jesse Crenshaw, former felon spokespeople, and more, this event will raise awareness of Restoration of Voting Rights for Former Felons.
Restoration of Voting Rights Focus Lobby Day - Thursday, February 28th. Based out of room 111 in the Capitol Annex in Frankfort. This is a massive lobby day in Frankfort for our legislation to restore voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society.
Call your Legislator!
Leave a message for your state representative on the Legislative Message Line (800-372-7181) asking them to co-sponsor the bill. Message: "I urge you to support a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society. Please sign on as a co-sponsor to HB 70"
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