New Kentucky Felony Voting Laws Could Place States Youngest Black Lawmaker in U.S. Senate
By Melisha Daniels - June 21, 2020
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Kentucky Representative and US Senate Candidate Charles Booker (Bryan Woolston - AP Photo)
The Kentucky state primary is quickly approaching. Over 100,000 citizens with felony offenses will be voting in this years state primary election, where voters decided which judges will sit on the bench and who will represent them in the U.S. Senate. A tense atmosphere plagued with allegations of voter suppression, the primary originally scheduled to take place in May will finally be held on Tuesday, June 23.
Recent poll activity shows an increase in numbers for former U.S. Representative - 43rd District (Ky-D), Charles Booker. At age 35, Booker is Kentucky's Youngest Black lawmaker. If Booker is successful, he will face off against Senate Majority Leader and longtime U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (Ky-R).
Kentucky Representative and US Senate Candidate Charles Booker (Bryan Woolston - AP Photo)
Do Black Lives Matter in Kentucky?
Kentucky is the state where EMT and frontline worker, Breonna Taylor was murdered by police officers while asleep in her bed. Her boyfriend arrested for attempting to defend them. Although Breonna’s brutal murder was committed on March 23, 2020; as of June 19, 2020, the officers involved have not been fired or charged with the crime.
Unfortunately, implicit racial bias is not limited to the inability to hold police officers accountable for murder. Systemic racism has extended to the voting polls. The state primary has been marred with allegations of voter suppression. Polling locations have been shut down in what some view is an effort to prevent citizens from exercising their rights.
What We Can Do?
If the 174,000 citizens who received a restoration of voting rights show up at the polls, we could see Kentucky’s youngest Black lawmaker, Charles Booker, facing and replacing Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, as the State of Kentucky U.S. Senate representative.
Voting After a Felony Conviction in Kentucky
On December 12, 2019, the Governor of Kentucky - Andy Beshear, signed an executive order allowing felons the right to vote in the State of Kentucky. The order gives people convicted of felonies the right to vote and hold public office. For people with nonviolent felonies the rights are automatically restored at completion of the sentence, including any probation or parole. For those convicted of violent felony offenses, treason and bribery; an application for restoration of rights must be submitted.
To check your registration status or find out more information about restoring your rights in the state of Kentucky, visit www.civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov.
This article is for informational purposes and is not all inclusive of the voting rights, processes and procedures for voting with felony convictions. If you have questions regarding your right to vote with a felony conviction, please contact your state election board or your state department of probation and parole to determine your rights and exercise your right to vote.
