Voting Rights updates

HB 232 stalls, but thousands reached on voting rights

In terms of legislative outcomes, our Healthy Democracy work struggled during the 2021 General Assembly – as did many good bills. Our bill to restore voting rights for people with felonies in their past (House Bill 232) had broad support and we’ve helped recruit a bipartisan slate of seventeen cosponsors to the bill, but Republican House leaders refused to even assign it to committee.

Likewise, our endorsed bills around redistricting processes, same-day voter registration, early voting, voting by mail, and keeping polls open until 7 p.m. did not get far either.

We still managed to build and use a lot of power, and speak to many Kentuckians directly through our work over the last few months.

Over the course of two big campaigns, twenty-four volunteers in KFTC and KUUJAN (Kentucky Unitarian Universalist Justice Action Network) made 2,090 calls, left 418 voice mails, had 285 phone conversations, and sent 10,330 texts talking to people about restoration of voting rights for people with felonies in their past, identifying supporters, and connecting them to the legislative message line.

Here’s what volunteers had to say:

“I was a little scared thinking about phone banking at first, but after I started, I realized it could be easy and fun. I also like that it’s flexible and I can call whenever. If you’re thinking about doing this, I say just jump in.” Annette Hines, Rowan County

“I worked with KFTC and KUUJAN to call people about voting rights because it’s so important. It’s really gratifying when you get to reach someone who’s maybe alone or bored and you get to really connect with them around a shared value. Sometimes we all feel alone in moments like this, but we can feel less alone through action.” Lisa Dalporto, Warren County, Kentucky

On February 18, we hosted a Virtual Lobby Day for a Healthy Democracy that was a big success, despite many weather-related challenges. We had over seventy attendees who participated in legislative meetings, a lobby training, social media training, letter to the editor training, and spokesperson training. We generated tons of calls to the legislative message line and good outreach through social media. The day ended with a fantastic virtual rally with powerful stories from voting rights advocates.

Thanks to the organizations that co-sponsored the day: Unitarian Universalist Justice Action Network (KUUJAN), United We Stand, IUE CWA, Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign, Mission Behind Bars and Beyond, Black Leadership Action Coalition of Kentucky (B.L.A.C.K.), ACLU, Together Frankfort, League of Women Voters of Kentucky, Moms Demand Action KY, and Louisville Showing up for Racial Justice.

Thanks also to our rally speakers who were all brilliant: Shelton McElroy, Reverend Dr. Anthony Everett, Debbie Graner, Bonifacio Aleman, Dee Pregliasco and Savvy Shabazz!

Kentuckians overwhelmingly support voting rights

In January, The League of Women Voters of Kentucky released An Update: Felony Disenfranchisement in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The report shows that Kentucky has made progress since 2019, but has much further to go to respect the voting rights of all Kentuckians with a felony in their past.

The following data comes from their report, and is shared with permission. View the full report and support the work of the League of Women Voters of Kentucky at: www.lwvky.org/felony-disenfranchisement.

178,397

Kentuckians had their right to vote respected as a result of Gov. Beshear’s 2019 Executive Order

3 in 20

Black Kentuckians are still disenfranchised, which is the seventh highest rate in the nation

197,672

Kentuckians with a felony conviction in their past remain disenfranchised. This number is greater than the population of every county in Kentucky except Jefferson and Fayette! A constitutional amendment is needed to respect the voting rights of Kentuckians.

Kentuckians support a constitutional amendment by a 2-1 margin.