LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Democrat Amy McGrath is kicking off her voter registration initiative this weekend as part of a statewide tour to expand voting access in Kentucky.
McGrath will join leaders and advocates in Lexington, Louisville, Hopkinsville and Owensboro on Saturday to register voters.
“Our voter outreach efforts during the primary showed that voter education is key, now more than ever,” said McGrath, who is running against Sen. Mitch McConnell in the November general election. “Our efforts will focus on voters who historically faced disenfranchisement — including Black and Hispanic voters — and those who have historically voted at lower rates, namely young people.”
McGrath said she wants to help felons who have committed nonviolent crimes get back on the voter rolls through education efforts now that their voting rights have been restored by an order implemented last year by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
While states and counties take the lead in administering elections, McGrath said the federal government has an important role to play in ensuring fair and safe elections.
“We need sufficient federal funding to states for them to be able to provide universal mail-in voting and widespread, multifaceted voter education initiatives,” she said.
McGrath also called on McConnell to pass the House-passed bill restoring the Voting Rights Act and to rename it the John Lewis Act in honor of the congressman and civil rights leader who dedicated his life to expanding voting rights.
“Next year, when McConnell is out of the Senate, we will make that bill law and be one step closer to living up to our ideal of making sure every voice in our democracy is heard,” she said.
The campaign’s efforts will continue until the Oct. 5 general election registration deadline.
