Constitutional Amendment would ask voters to change when they vote for Ky. governor and other offices

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Kentucky voters could decide to change when they vote for their statewide constitutional officers, including the governor.

The elections would be on even instead of odd years. According to language in the bill, Kentuckians have voted for their statewide officeholders on odd years since 1895.

The legislation is Senate Bill 10.

Time and time again, Senator Christian McDaniel says he has pushed this bill—to move the years when Kentuckians vote for governor and other constitutional officers.

“What this will do will dramatically increase the number of voters in a constitutional election year,” Sen. McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, told the Senate State and Local Government Committee Wednesday.

If approved and ratified by voters, Kentuckians would vote for their statewide office holders on the same years they elect the U.S. President.

“The reality is we need to improve participation in our democracy. And SB 10 will do exactly that,” said Sen. McDaniel.

If passed, it means Kentucky’s governor and other constitutional officers elected in 2027 would serve a five-year term instead of a four-year term.

Voters will have to approve this issue since it changes the state constitution. It won’t take effect until 2032. Some argue that the current system needs to stay the same.

“I think it’s really important that the people of Kentucky have their space to focus on Kentucky issues. And issues that impact us here in the Commonwealth. For that reason, I am a ‘no’ today,” said Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville.

“What better way to get them focused on state races than to put them in a year they are already interested and coming to vote,” argued Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown.

The bill passed committee 7 to 1 and now goes to the full Senate.

If approved by the House and Senate, the question on the ballot will read:

“Are you in favor of amending Section 95 of the state constitution to hold the election of all statewide constitutional officers in even-numbered years after the November 2027 election?”