Kentuckians who have served time for felonies should have right to vote, advocates say

By: McKenna Horsley

Outlets: Kentucky Lantern

Published: February 17, 2026

Words: 835

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

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FRANKFORT — The Rev. Rich Gianzero told a small crowd in the Capitol Annex that he’s a “second-class citizen” under current Kentucky’s voting laws.

Gianzero, a Lutheran pastor and executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, said that because of an out-of-state felony conviction he got at 16, he cannot vote in Kentucky.

“I was a prisoner, and I served my sentence and was released, and my sentence continues on beyond the …

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