LEXINGTON, Ky. – Voting rights advocates say it's time to turn the tide for most of the 186,000 Kentuckians who are being denied a voice at the ballot box because they're former felons who were convicted of nonviolent offenses.

The social justice group Kentuckians for the Commonwealth is one of nearly two dozen organizations backing a bill that calls for a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights automatically to nonviolent felony ex-offenders.

One person who would be affected by such an amendment is April Browning, Lexington, who served 15 months for drug possession four years ago.

"My time is served. My debt to society has been paid, and it's only fair to let us become a full part of the community once again."

Kentucky is one of a few states that denies voting rights to former felons after they have successfully completed parole, probation or time served, unless they get a gubernatorial pardon.

State Rep. Jesse Crenshaw (D-Lexington) is sponsoring the bill (HB 70) that would let voters decide in November whether the voting rights should be automatically restored. In Browning's opinion, automatic voting rights restoration is critical a part of a person's successful reentry into society after being incarcerated, as connecting them to democracy is a tool of rehabilitation.

"When people are allowed to reintegrate into society as full citizens, they're more likely to obey the laws and be able to feel as though they have a voice and it's being heard."

The measure would not apply to former felons convicted of intentional murder, rape, sodomy or sex crimes against a minor.

Similar attempts by Crenshaw in the last three legislative sessions passed the Democrat-controlled House by wide victories, but stalled in the Republican-run Senate. Opponents have said the constitutional amendment is unnecessary, because the gubernatorial pardon process is already in place for felons who wish to have their voting rights restored.



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Today is National Voter Registration Day, and volunteers with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters are holding voter registration events across the state - at libraries, school campuses, and churches.

League of Women Voters of Texas President Joyce LeBombard said the organization has seen an increase in interest in the presidential race, on both sides, now that the Democratic ticket has changed.

She added that voters should also pay attention to other races.

"In presidential race years, there is always more excitement than on non-presidential races," said LeBombard. "But I think people need to remember that all elections are important, and what's really important is those down-ballot races - those races that impact your community directly."

LeBombard said if you are already registered to vote, now is a good time to check your voter registration status.

Texas has removed more than a million voters from the rolls since 2021.

If you need information about a ballot item, the League provides its Voter's Guide. Information is also available at the Secretary of States' office or at 'votetexas.gov.'

LeBombard said since its inception, National Voter Registration Day has had a huge impact on elections.

"I think it's a very important day," said LeBombard. "It started in 2012 with both democracy-organizing groups and also elections officials. And since 2012, over 5 million voters have registered to vote or updated their voter registration."

The deadline to register to vote for the November 5 general election is October 7. Texas does not have online registration - you must do so at a community event or at your county elections office.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.




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Today is National Voter Registration Day, and some young people in Washington state are encouraging people in their age group to ensure they're registered.

The general election is less than two months away, and ballots in Washington state will start going out in just over a month, on October 18.

Ayla Nye is a student at the University of Washington who was a summer fellow with The Washington Bus, a youth voting organization.

She registered to vote three years ago when she was 18, and said the process was not complicated.

"It's just a really great chance to get involved as a citizen, and vote on polices that will be directly affecting me and my community," said Nye. "So, I was excited to register."

Online and mail-in voter registration forms must be received in Washington state by October 28 to vote in this year's general election.

But if Washingtonians miss that date, they can still register to vote in person any time before 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5.

Blake Boada is also a student at the University of Washington, and he's helping register people to vote in the lead up to the election.

"Obviously a very important election in deciding where this country's headed," said Boada. "I believe especially for young people, who this election will affect most, it's important for them to get out and vote - since our age demographic votes at a much lesser rate than those older than us."

Nye said the presidential race is a big focus in November, but she noted it isn't the only race on the ballot.

"For those who are hesitant about voting this year because they're maybe unhappy with the presidential candidates," said Nye, "I would really like to remind them that they are voting also for state policies, and positions that affect our community on a local level."




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Just a few months after some South Dakota absentee ballots were illegally challenged, officials are concerned slow mail delivery could affect outcomes on Election Day.

Members of the National Association of State Election Officials have sent a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General, expressing concerns about Postal Service performance over the last year. It cited patterns of inconsistent training among staff, lengthy delivery times and a rise in mail returned as undeliverable, which can affect a voter's registration.

Samantha Chapman, advocacy manager for the ACLU of South Dakota, hopes election officials across the state are educating people who request absentee ballots.

"About the possibility of delayed mail service and the importance of expediently filling out those ballots and mailing them back as soon as possible," Chapman stressed.

Chapman encouraged South Dakotans to check the status of their voter registration in case they have been purged through routine maintenance or other changes. The registration deadline is Oct. 21.

A challenge to some absentee ballots cast during the June primary in Minnehaha County nearly caused 100 to be rejected, in a race where candidates were separated by just 83 votes, according to the ACLU. The South Dakota Secretary of State's Office advised state law did not deem the ballots challengeable.

Chapman hopes there are no similar issues on the upcoming Election Day.

"We really, really, really are pushing all of our election administrators to follow the laws that are in place," Chapman explained. "And to use their positions to be an accurate source of information for voters."

The U.S. Postal Service last month proposed a plan to adjust mail delivery starting next year to increase reliance on regional hubs, which could slow delivery to rural areas. It is estimated the plan will save the service $3 billion per year.