Electoral reform in Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Electoral reform in
Kentucky
refers to efforts to change the voting laws in the Bluegrass State. In Kentucky, the state legislature is in charge of drawing both congressional and state legislative districts. The 1991 state legislative district plan was determined by the Supreme Court of Kentucky to be in violation of Section 33 of the Kentucky Constitution
because it split an excessive number of counties in violation of the state constitutional requirement that the fewest number of counties possible be divided. Kentucky is one of only three states the others are Florida and Virginia) that permanently disenfranchise all persons with felony convictions even after they have completed their full sentence. One out of every 17 Kentucky residents is disenfranchised. In 2007, HB 550 was introduced to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
, but it died in committee. In October 2007, Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo
released to the State Board of Elections
and Kentucky Secretary of State a report finding serious deficiencies in Kentucky's electronic voting machines.
Electoral reform
Electoral reform is change in electoral systems to improve how public desires are expressed in election results. That can include reforms of:...
Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
refers to efforts to change the voting laws in the Bluegrass State. In Kentucky, the state legislature is in charge of drawing both congressional and state legislative districts. The 1991 state legislative district plan was determined by the Supreme Court of Kentucky to be in violation of Section 33 of the Kentucky Constitution
Kentucky Constitution
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the document that governs the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was first adopted in 1792 and has since been rewritten three times and amended many more...
because it split an excessive number of counties in violation of the state constitutional requirement that the fewest number of counties possible be divided. Kentucky is one of only three states the others are Florida and Virginia) that permanently disenfranchise all persons with felony convictions even after they have completed their full sentence. One out of every 17 Kentucky residents is disenfranchised. In 2007, HB 550 was introduced to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among U.S. states designed to replace current state rules governing the electoral college system of presidential elections with rules guaranteeing election of the national popular vote winner...
, but it died in committee. In October 2007, Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo
Greg Stumbo
Gregory D. "Greg" Stumbo is the Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives. Stumbo, a member of the Democratic Party, is a former Kentucky Attorney General from 2003 to 2007.-Early Career:...
released to the State Board of Elections
State board of elections
A state board of elections is a body designated to conduct elections in U.S. states.-Virginia:In Virginia, for instance, the State Board of Elections is a three-member body consisting of a chair, vice-chair, and secretary, that manages the electoral process and investigates and adjudicates disputes...
and Kentucky Secretary of State a report finding serious deficiencies in Kentucky's electronic voting machines.