Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB80: AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.
Status: In committee, March 13, 2026
Propose to amend Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to restore the voting rights of persons convicted of certain felonies after completion of imprisonment, probation, or parole; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.
What the bill says
An act proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. Are you in favor of amending Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to automatically restore the voting rights of persons who have been convicted of a felony not involving treason, bribery in an election, election fraud, a violent felony offense, a felony sexual offense, or a criminal offense against a child upon the completion of any term of imprisonment, probation, or parole, as stated below? Section 2. It is proposed that Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky be amended to read as follows: Every citizen of the United States of the age of eighteen years who has resided in the state one year, and in the county six months, and the precinct in which he or she offers to vote sixty days next preceding the election, shall be a voter in said precinct and not elsewhere. No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in this state. The following persons also shall not have the right to vote: 1. Persons convicted in any court of competent jurisdiction of treason,[ or felony, or] bribery in an election, election fraud, …
Sponsors
- Jimmy Higdon (R, SD-014) · primary sponsor
- Keturah Herron (D, SD-035)
- Gerald Neal (D, SD-033)
- Reginald Thomas (D, SD-013)
Latest actions
- : to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 63-31 with Committee Substitute (1)
- : placed in the Orders of the Day
- : taken from Rules
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : received in House
- : 3rd reading, passed 35-3
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 20 2026
Votes
- Senate: PASS SB 80 RSN# 3844 (February 20, 2026): 35 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Elections And Voting, Crimes And Punishments, Secretary Of State, Local Mandate, Civil Rights, Constitution, Ky., County Clerks
Common questions
- What is SB80?
- SB80 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.
- What does SB80 do?
- In its own words: An act proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.
- What is the status of SB80?
- In committee as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H) (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB80?
- Jimmy Higdon (R, SD-014), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB80?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb80.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.