Kentucky lawmakers are seeking to make adjustments in election related requirements. Senate Bill 169 would put into statute a court ruling prohibiting electioneering 100 feet from a polling place. For many years, the limit was 300 feet.
Bill Sponsor Albert Robinson says the measure also deals with privacy issues. “Redact the social security number on the voting cards, there is no need of that and instead of having different copies of paper you don’t have to have in the statutory required copies that are no longer needed. Takes that out,” said Robinson.
Senate President Robert Stivers says it a balancing act on how far government can go to control the electoral process, versus the individual’s right of free speech and expression. Stivers says the measure is not too restrictive. “A lot of people just want to go vote and they don’t want to have 15 cards handed to them as they pull in the driveway of a voting precinct," said Stivers. "But, that’s my right. That’s anybody’s right to be holding up a sign. What is the appropriate balance between the two?”
The bill also requires challenges to absentee ballots returned by mail be delivered to the county clerk’s office before 8 a.m. on Election Day. The measure will now considered in the Kentucky House.
