EDITOR'S NOTE: KDP Statement on McGrath Campaign Voter Registration Initiative
As part of her ongoing efforts to expand voting access, retired Marine Lt. Col. Amy McGrath is kicking off her voter registration initiative Saturday, Aug. 1 as part of a statewide tour. McGrath will join leaders and advocates in Lexington, Louisville, Hopkinsville and Owensboro to register voters Aug. 1.
The following is a statement from Ben Self, Chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party:“The Kentucky Democratic Party applauds Lt. Col. Amy McGrath for taking on a much needed voter registration initiative -- specifically for those who had their voting rights restored by Gov. Andy Beshear. It is especially important this year for Kentucky Democrats to reach out to voters who have historically faced disenfranchisement or may have voted at lower rates."
“Senator McConnell abandoned Kentucky a long time ago, and now it’s time for Kentuckians to have a leader who truly has their back. Kentuckians know they can count on Amy McGrath to fight for all of us everyday, not just when it’s convenient. That’s why you see Democrats coming together all across the Commonwealth excited to support Amy, and do the hard work needed to defeat Mitch in November.”Outreach includes historically disenfranchised Kentuckians
LEXINGTON, Ky. – As part of her ongoing efforts to expand voting access, retired Marine Lt. Col. Amy McGrath is kicking off her voter registration initiative Saturday, Aug. 1 as part of a statewide tour.
McGrath will join leaders and advocates in Lexington, Louisville, Hopkinsville and Owensboro to register voters Aug. 1.
“Our voter outreach efforts during the primary showed that voter education is key, now more than ever,” said McGrath, who is running to beat the unpopular Sen. Mitch McConnell. “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 with Gov. Beshear’s order restoring voting rights to those who’ve committed non-violent felonies, she wants to help them get back on the voter rolls through education efforts.
The campaign’s efforts will continue until the general election registration deadline: Oct. 5.
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.
McConnell did not include any federal funding for Kentucky elections in the “plan” he rolled out this week.
She 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.