HOWELL WANTS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROTECTING KENTUCKY RESIDENTS ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT

HOWELL WANTS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROTECTING KENTUCKY RESIDENTS ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT

SB 143 approved by the State Senate

FRANKFORT, KY. (February 12, 2024) -- Today, Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, presented legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 143, aimed at securing a constitutional amendment on the November ballot in Kentucky. The proposed amendment seeks to explicitly affirm that only United States citizens are eligible to vote in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

“It’s odd we don’t already have this spelled out in our Constitution. While this is specifically prohibited at the federal level, it isn’t addressed here in Kentucky,” said Howell. “This is about protecting citizens and the thousands of people who’ve lawfully navigated the immigration process.  One of the rewards of doing so is earning the right to vote.” 

Currently, Sections 145 and 155 of the Constitution of Kentucky already include three categories of people ineligible to vote. They are those found guilty of high crimes against the country, such as treason, convicted felons and those deemed mentally incompetent. 

The proposed change to the Constitution of Kentucky was presented in the Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government, chaired by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, just last week.

Following its passage in the Senate, SB 143 now awaits consideration in the House. The House has previously passed mirror legislation, House Bill 341, sponsored by Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland. 

Should either bill successfully pass both chambers, Kentucky residents will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed amendment during the November elections, coinciding with the nation's presidential race. Adoption of the amendment to the Constitution of Kentucky would require majority support from voters.

For a look at the complete proposed constitutional amendment, go to the Legislative Research Commission at https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/24rs/sb143.html. 

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Senator Jason Howell, R-Murray, represents the 1st Senate District including Calloway, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Lyon, and Trigg Counties. As the 2023 Legislative Session convenes, he will serve as Senate Agriculture Committee chair. He will serve as a Banking and Insurance; Economic Development, Tourism and Labor; and Licensing and Occupations committee member. Howell will also serve as a Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee and Legislative Oversight and Investigations committee member.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of Howell, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate101.jpg.

Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2024 Legislative Session, such as committee schedules, membership, legislation, and more. 

Live legislative coverage is available at KET.org/legislature and via the Legislative Research Commission YouTube channel. 

Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives. 

Follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also find information on caucus members, as well as view press releases from our office, by visiting KYSenateRepublicans.com.