Kentucky lawmakers are reviving a long-standing effort to change elections for governor and other statewide offices to coincide with the presidential election, winning approval from a Senate committee Wednesday.
Republican Sen. Chris McDaniel argues that Kentucky's constitution should be amended to end the tradition of holding elections for governor and other state constitutional offices in odd years. His proposal would switch those races from 2032 to the presidential election year.
That would increase turnout in the races for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller, treasurer and agriculture commissioner because more Kentuckians would vote in presidential elections, McDaniel said. That would save millions of dollars in election costs, he said.
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And he said it would spare Kentucky voters from the current fatigue of having elections three times every four years. If his proposal passes, Kentuckians would get even more time off from campaigning.
“If they could have a year without political ads interfering with Kentucky basketball games, Monday Night Football, or any program they're trying to enjoy during their vacations and, most importantly, their time with their families,” “If you ask me, do you enjoy it? I think this constitutional amendment will probably pass pretty healthily,” McDaniel said.
The bill easily passed the Senate State and Local Government Committee and advanced to the full Senate. If the proposal passes the House and Senate, it will be on the ballot this November, when Kentucky voters will decide whether to eliminate odd-year elections for state constitutional offices. Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers.
Republican Kentucky Sen. Chris McDaniel (left) speaks with colleague Jason Howell on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 in Frankfort, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner)
If voters approve the change, the state will hold another statewide election in 2027. Last year, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman won re-election, and Republicans won other constitutional offices. This year's Kentucky elections include presidential, congressional and legislative races before voters enter his 2025 campaign hiatus.
Democratic Sen. Cathy Chambers Armstrong opposed the bill, saying holding statewide elections at the same time as the presidential election would overshadow state issues by national concerns.
“I think it’s really important that Kentuckians have a space where they can focus on issues in Kentucky and issues that affect us here in the commonwealth,” she said.
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Republican Sen. Damon Sayer argued against supporting the bill, predicting there would be more attention to state issues when statewide campaigns for office coincide with the presidential election.
“What better way to keep people focused on state issues than to hold a campaign in a year when people are already interested and coming to vote,” said Senate Majority Leader Thayer. ” he said.
Term limits for governor and other statewide offices would remain four-year terms, but candidates elected to these offices in 2027 would see an additional year added to their terms if the proposal is approved. Become. That would be necessary to hold these elections in time for the 2032 presidential election.
McDaniel has been pushing for constitutional reform for 10 years. His proposals have passed the Senate in the past but were defeated in the House.
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“Good ideas never expire,” McDaniel quipped when introducing the bill Wednesday.
