MCDANIEL ISSUES STATEMENT FOLLOWING
SENATE BILL 10’S SENATE APPROVAL
The measure would move constitutional office elections to even-numbered years, address voter fatigue, save taxpayer money, and increase participation in the democratic process.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (January 17, 2024) — The following is a statement from Senate Bill 10 sponsor Senator Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, upon the measures’ Senate approval on Wednesday:
“I appreciate each of my Senate colleagues for quickly approving this measure and sending it to the House early in the session. I have confidence that the merits behind this constitutional amendment appeal to Kentucky voters who are burned out with politics flooding their televisions, mailboxes and roadways almost yearly. Participation in the democratic process is vital to the continuation of our constitutional republic, and I think Senate Bill 10 will go a long way in preventing voter apathy. I ask House leadership and members to consider the arguments I and others have offered and to provide Kentucky voters with the opportunity to weigh in.”
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Senate Bill 10 passed the Senate 26-9. CLICK HERE to access a video clip of McDaniel’s presentation of Senate Bill 10 on the Senate floor.
BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 10, if approved by three-fifths of members in the state House of Representatives, would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Kentucky (Section 95) to move elections for state constitutional officers to even-numbered years. These include the governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.
Constitutional amendment bills do not require approval by the governor. With House approval, the amendment would need to garner majority support among voters on a future general election ballot to amend the Constitution of Kentucky.
McDaniel has pursued this constitutional amendment since he was first elected into the state Senate, an effort spanning across multiple administrations within state constitutional offices. He has cited voter fatigue, cost-savings and increased election participation as notable reasons the legislature should recommend the amendment to Kentucky voters.
Even though reforms from the Kentucky General Assembly have implemented reforms making it easier to vote, a previous release from the Senate Majority Caucus noted general election turnout for constitutional offices decreased by nearly 9 percent from 2019 to 2023. In a fact-check in the network’s coverage of Senate Bill 10, WKYT News reported that since 2008, years with constitutional office elections have lower voter turnout when compared to years with presidential elections. This is according to data from the Kentucky State Board of Elections.
Beyond the measures appeal to those who enjoy a year free from campaign signage and political ads, the constitutional amendment will save taxpayer money.
The Legislative Research Commission previously reported the cost savings to local governments would be approximately $13.5 million during the calendar year when a primary and general election would no longer occur. The savings to the commonwealth would be nearly $2 million in the same year.
Under McDaniel’s proposed amendment, elections for statewide offices would still occur every four years starting in 2032. The 2027 primary and general election would remain the same, but those elected to the constitutional offices in 2027 would have an additional year added to their term.
The ballot measure would read: “Are you in favor of amending Section 95 of the state constitution to hold the election of all statewide constitutional officers in even-numbered years after the November 2027 election?”
The process of amending the state constitution is outlined in Section 256 of the Constitution of Kentucky.
Visit legislature.ky.gov for more information on McDaniel and to find other proposed legislation from the 2024 Legislative Session.
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Senator Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, represents the 23rd Senate District in northern Kenton County. McDaniel is Senate Appropriations and Revenue chair and serves as an ex-officio member of each budget review subcommittee. He is a Senate Licensing and Occupations, and State and Local Government committee member. Additionally, McDaniel serves as a Public Pension Oversight Board member.