Matt Bevin on Crime

Overturn voting rights to ex-felons who completed sentences

But the policies have been controversial and provoked a partisan divide. Last December, newly elected Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) reversed an executive order by his Democratic predecessor to grant voting rights to ex-felons in the state once they had completed their sentences. Governor Bevin framed his opposition to the executive order signed by then-Gov. Steve Beshear (D) on procedural rather than ideological terms. "While I have been a vocal supporter of the restoration of rights, for example, it is an issue that must be addressed through the legislature and by the will of the people," he said in a statement.

Imperative to address backlog of forensic tests

Restore felon voting rights, but only through legislature

Bevin's order will not retroactively affect felons who, since Nov. 24, have received a certificate from the state Department of Corrections confirming their restoration of rights. Bevin said felons may continue requesting a restoration of their civil rights from the governor's office, which includes the right to vote, to serve on a jury, to hold elected office and to obtain a professional or vocational license. That was how Beshear handled it "for essentially the entire eight years of his administration," until he changed the process "less than two weeks prior to the expiration of his term," Bevin said.