Kentucky's New Governor, Andy Beshear (D), Plans to Sign an Executive Order Thursday Restoring the Vote to more than 100,000 Convicted Non-Violent Felons who have Completed their Sentences.
Beshear, the Former State Attorney General, made the announcement in his Inaugural Address.
It's the Fulfillment of a Promise that shaped the Closing Days of his Campaign last fall, when he Won an Upset against Republican Incumbent Matt Bevin.
"My faith teaches me to treat others with dignity and respect. My faith also teaches forgiveness," Beshear said, and so he will use his Executive Power to Restore "voting rights to over 100,000 men and women who have done wrong in the past but are doing right now. They deserve to participate in our great democracy."
Beshear's Executive Order, Originally Signed in 2015 by his Father, Democrat Steve Beshear, was Rescinded by Bevin, his Successor.
That Order would have Restored Voting Rights and the Right to Hold Office to more than 140,000 Kentuckians who had Completed their Sentences and Paid All Court-Ordered Fines and Restitution.
About One-Quarter of the State's Disenfranchised Population is African-American, a Significant Portion of whom were Convicted on Non-Violent Drug Possession Charges, according to The Sentencing Project, which Advocates for Reducing Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice system.
While the New Wave of Voters will likely Vote Solidly Democratic, they are Unlikely to Shift the State's Balance of Political Power. But we will have to see how this will change 2020 Local and State Elections.
UPDATE
Gov. Andy Beshear Signed an Executive Order in his First Week on the Job, Dec. 13th, that will Restore Voting Rights for roughly 140,000 Citizens in Kentucky, around 4% of the State's Total Adult Population.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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