A heated election debate has broken out in Kentucky as voters clash over an election amendment banning “idiots and insane persons” from voting.
Despite the recent uproar, the phrase already exists in the state constitution and the rule has been in place for decades.
However, its mention in the recent amendment has put the spotlight back on the state’s ban on “idiots and lunatics” voting for everyone who didn’t know the controversial language was already in effect.
Democratic Sen. Reggie Thomas of Lexington said referring to “idiots and lunatics” as groups of people who are prohibited from voting on ballots – and in the constitution – goes too far.
‘You know we should probably use some different language. We certainly know that minors cannot vote. You have to be 18 years old. I think that language today is inappropriate,” Thomas said. WKYT.
A heated election debate has broken out in Kentucky as voters clash over constitutional language on ballots that addresses who can cast a vote.
The electoral controversy centers on the use of the phrase “idiots and madmen” – an obscure term drawn from previous constitutional language – in reference to voters’ citizenship requirements.
The spokesman for the Secretary of State pointed out that the restriction on the vote of ‘idiots or insane’ is included in article 145, number 3, since it was approved on November 8, 1955.
Republican Sen. 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 raised the issue with him before.
Douglas said he believes only American citizens have the right to vote.
‘I’m speaking for myself. But I simply want to make sure that the barriers set out in our constitution are respected. And sometimes these railings need more than one bar,” Douglas said.
However, Attica Scott, a former Democratic state representative for six years who now works with Forward Action Justice Network, said the requirement is “absolutely unnecessary.”
Democratic Sen. Reggie Thomas of Lexington said referring to “idiots and lunatics” as groups of people who are prohibited from voting on ballots (and in the constitution) goes too far.
Attica Scott, a former Democratic state representative for six years who now works with Forward Action Justice Network, said any constitutional changes to the existing language are “absolutely unnecessary.”
‘We already know that the people who vote in Kentucky are people who have the right to vote. The constitution already says it. We don’t need to repeat it,” Scott said.
The other issue Kentucky voters must decide on is the question of school choice, which concerns Amendment 1.
Opponents of the amendment will schedule a rally for Monday afternoon in Frankfort.
