News and Music Discovery
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Proposal to Lower Eligibility Age For Local Offices Clears Senate Committee

Adam Koenig Pictured Left
LRC Public Information
Adam Koenig Pictured Left

The minimum age to run for office in Kentucky could soon drop.

House Bill 112 is a on track to clear the General Assembly soon. It would allow 21-year-olds to run for mayor and 18-year-olds to run for councils in Kentucky cities and towns. Currently, council members must be 21 and mayors must be 25.

The bill has already cleared the House and it passed a Senate committee today.

“If the electorate sees fit to elect someone who is 18 or 21 to various offices then God bless them and send them on their way,” says Bill sponsor Adam Koenig.

Koenig adds that 18 and 21 year olds are given lots of responsibilities at those ages, most notably possible military service at 18.

The full Senate will now consider the bill. If passed, the measure will head to Governor Steve Beshear’s desk for his signature.

Kenny Colston is the Frankfort Bureau Chief for Kentucky Public Radio (a collaborative effort of public radio stations in Kentucky). Colston has covered Kentucky's Capitol and state government since 2010. He is a Louisville native, and a graduate of the University of Kentucky. When he's not tracking down stories about Kentucky politics, you can often find him watching college sports, particularly football.
Related Content