Huge election war in rural state as voters fight over ‘vile’ phrase from the Constitution used on ballot papers
A heated election debate has erupted in Kentucky as voters clash over a ballot amendment that would ban “idiots and insane persons” from voting.
Despite the recent uproar, the term actually already exists in the state constitution and the rule has been in place for decades.
However, its inclusion in the recent amendment has put the state’s ban on “idiots and insane people” from voting back into the spotlight for anyone who was unaware that the controversial language already existed.
Democratic Sen. Reggie Thomas of Lexington said it goes too far to refer to “idiots and insane people” as groups of people who are not allowed to vote on the ballot — and in the Constitution.
“You know we should probably use a different language. We know for a fact that minors cannot vote. You must be 18. I think that language is inappropriate today,” Thomas said WKYT.
A heated election debate has erupted in Kentucky as voters clash over constitutional language on ballots affecting who can vote
The election controversy centers on the use of the phrase “idiots and insane persons” – an obscure term borrowed from past constitutional language – in reference to voters’ citizenship requirements.
The Secretary of State’s spokesman pointed out that the voting restriction on “idiots or insane persons” has been included in section 145, number 3, since it was passed on November 8, 1955.
Republican Senator Dr. Donald Douglas of Nicholasville denied discussing the amendment with voters in the General Assembly earlier this year.
He also stated that no constituent group had ever raised the issue with him before.
Douglas said he believes only American citizens have the right to vote.
‘I speak for myself. But I just want to make sure that the guardrails in our Constitution are followed. And sometimes these guardrails need more than one bar,” Douglas said.
However, Attica Scott, a former Democratic state representative who has worked with the Forward Action Justice Network for six years, said the requirement is “absolutely unnecessary.”
Democratic Sen. Reggie Thomas of Lexington said referring to “idiots and insane people” as groups of people barred from voting on the ballot — and in the Constitution — goes too far.
Attica Scott, a former Democratic state representative who has worked with the Forward Action Justice Network for six years, said any constitutional change to existing language is “absolutely unnecessary.”
“We already know that the people who vote in Kentucky are eligible to vote. It is already in the constitution. We don’t need to repeat it,” Scott said.
The other issue for Kentucky voters to decide is the issue of school choice, which concerns Amendment 1.
Those opposed to the amendment plan an afternoon meeting in Frankfort on Monday.