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Amendment to Curtail KY Governor’s Pardon Power Wins by Large Margin
The constitutional change bars pardons and commutations in the final 60 days before a gubernatorial election, after former Gov. Matt Bevin issued 600 pardons and commutations.
- On Tuesday, Kentucky voters approved Amendment 1, limiting the Governor's authority to issue pardons or commute sentences during the transition period around gubernatorial elections.
- Prompted by Gov. Matt Bevin's controversial decision to issue more than 600 pardons and sentence commutations in 2019, the amendment aims to prevent potential future executive abuses.
- The measure prohibits the Governor from granting clemency for 60 days before an election through Inauguration Day, covering roughly five weeks when no pardons may be issued.
- State Sen. Chris McDaniel, the amendment's sponsor, argued the restriction increases accountability, while Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear opposed the change, preferring voters hold leaders responsible at the ballot box.
- This passage marks the first constitutional amendment Kentucky voters have approved since 2020, when a crime victims' rights measure passed by a wide margin.
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Amendment to curtail KY governor's pardon power wins by large margin • Kentucky Lantern
Kentucky voters have approved a constitutional amendment to curb governors’ pardon powers around elections. The amendment won at the ballot box Tuesday by a vote of almost 40 percentage points. The change limits Kentucky governors’ power to grant pardons and sentence commutations around elections by blocking them 60 days before their election through the inauguration […]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 25%
C 50%
R 25%
Factuality
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