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Beshear restores voting rights for 140,000+ Kentucky felons

Beshear restores voting rights for 140,000+ Kentucky felons
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Beshear restores voting rights for 140,000+ Kentucky felons
Gov. Andy Beshear signed his second executive order Thursday. The order restores voting rights to more than 140,000 convicted felons. He announced he would sign the order during his public inauguration address on Tuesday.During the signing, Beshear said while he fights for justice, "I also believe in redemption and second chances."The order only applies to non-violent offenders. Beshear said some acts, like sexual abuse and homicide, are simply too heinous to forgive.Beshear also voiced support for a constitutional amendment to enshrine the automatic restoration of voting rights for non-violent felons.Until now, Kentucky was one of only two states with lifetime disenfranchisement. WATCH THE SIGNING: As for Beshear's first executive order, it was signed right after his official midnight swearing in. He is reorganizing the Board of Education, something he vowed to do during his campaign.The decision has been met with legal opposition from the former board members, but on Thursday afternoon, the education commissioner resigned.

Gov. Andy Beshear signed his second executive order Thursday.

The order restores voting rights to more than 140,000 convicted felons. He announced he would sign the order during his public inauguration address on Tuesday.

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During the signing, Beshear said while he fights for justice, "I also believe in redemption and second chances."

The order only applies to non-violent offenders. Beshear said some acts, like sexual abuse and homicide, are simply too heinous to forgive.

Beshear also voiced support for a constitutional amendment to enshrine the automatic restoration of voting rights for non-violent felons.

Until now, Kentucky was one of only two states with lifetime disenfranchisement.

WATCH THE SIGNING:

As for Beshear's first executive order, it was signed right after his official midnight swearing in. He is reorganizing the Board of Education, something he vowed to do during his campaign.

The decision has been met with legal opposition from the former board members, but on Thursday afternoon, the education commissioner resigned.