Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Restoring Voting Rights For Felons

By AP

Frankfort, KY – Governor Fletcher is taking a different approach than past Kentucky governors to restoring voting rights to felons.
Fletcher has added steps to the process. He's requiring felons who want to vote again to provide three character references and explain in writing why they should be allowed to go to the polls.
Also, local prosecutors will have added sway under the new system.
The new policy has upset civil libertarians, voting rights advocates and some Democrats. They argue that it adds unnecessary steps that could discourage some felons from seeking to have their voting rights restored.
Fletcher's top lawyer, John Roach, says applications received little or no scrutiny under the old system. Roach says some felons were allowed to vote again even though they owed restitution to victims.