Ky. order restores voting rights for some felons
FRANKFORT, Ky. — About 15 years ago, Mantell Stevens spent 30 days in jail for drug possession. He hasn’t been able to vote since then.
Stevens, 36, of Lexington, pleaded guilty to a felony, which means he lost his right to vote under the state constitution. And because Kentucky was one of four states that did not automatically restore people’s voting rights once their sentences were completed, Stevens never got it back.
On Tuesday, an executive order from Gov. Steve Beshear changed that. His order will automatically restore the voting rights of people convicted of certain felonies as long as they meet specific criteria.
“Being able to participate in democracy and being able to vote for elected officials is so important,” said Stevens, one of an estimated 180,000 Kentuckians who are out of prison but cannot vote because of their felony convictions.
Beshear’s order doesn’t apply to anyone convicted of bribery, treason, violent crimes or sex crimes. It doesn’t apply to people who have other pending charges or arrests, and doesn’t apply to those who have not paid a courtordered restitution.
The state’s Department of Corrections will review people once they are released from prison and automatically restore their voting rights if they meet the criteria.
Of those already out of prison, it’s not clear how many will qualify. But Beshear, a Democrat who leaves office next month, said it’s safe to put the number at more than 100,000 people.
“This disenfranchisement makes no sense … because it dilutes the energy of democracy, which functions only if all classes and categories of people have a voice, not just the privileged, powerful few,” Beshear said.
Kentucky’s Constitution requires convicted felons to lose their rights to vote, hold public office, own a gun or serve on a jury. Beshear’s order will restore the rights to vote and hold public office.
Beshear will be replaced by Republican Gov.-elect Matt Bevin, who could repeal Beshear’s order. Spokeswoman Jessica Ditto said Bevin supports restoring voting rights to nonviolent offenders.
“The executive order will be evaluated during the transition period,” she said.