WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Rand Paul today urged the Kentucky General Assembly to pass a constitutional amendment to restore the right to vote for many nonviolent felons in the Commonwealth who have completed their sentences.

"The right to vote is among the most important rights that we have," said Sen. Paul. "No one should lose this right for life because they spent time in jail for a nonviolent crime. Restoring voting rights for those who have repaid their debt to society is simply the right thing to do. I urge the Kentucky General Assembly to continue moving this issue forward and place an amendment on the ballot."

Over the past several years, the Kentucky House of Representatives has repeatedly approved measures restoring the right to vote for many Kentuckians. In 2014, the Kentucky House passed House Bill 70, a proposed constitutional amendment dealing with the restoration of voting rights, by a vote of 82-12. The Kentucky Senate advanced the issue for the first time in 2014, passing a different version of HB 70 by a 34-4 margin.

Sen. Paul has also introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate that would restore voting rights in federal elections for non-violent offenders who have completed their sentences.