NOTICE OF ELECTION
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BE VOTED ON AT THE REGULAR ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026
The following constitutional amendment to amend Section 77 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to limiting the Governor's ability to grant pardons and commute sentences, passed by the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly, will be submitted to the electorate for their acceptance or rejection at the regular election at which members of the General Assembly are to be voted for, to be held on November 3, 2026. The constitutional amendment can also be viewed at www.sos.ky.gov.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Are you in favor of limiting a Governor's ability to grant pardons or commute sentences by prohibiting him or her from granting pardons or commuting sentences during the time period beginning 60 days prior to the general election at which the Governor is elected, and ending when the Governor is sworn in for that term by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below?
It is proposed that Section 77 of the Constitution of Kentucky be amended to read as follows:
(1) The Governor shall have power to:
(a) Remit fines and forfeitures; and
(b) Commute sentences and grant reprieves and pardons, except:
1. In case of impeachment; or
2. For the period beginning sixty days prior to the date of the gubernatorial election and ending the fifth Tuesday succeeding the election.
(2) The Governor shall file with each application therefor a statement of the
reasons for his or her decision thereon, which application and statement shall
always be open to public inspection.
(3) In cases of treason, the Governor shall have power to grant reprieves until the
end of the next session of the General Assembly, in which the power of pardoning shall be vested; but he or she shall have no power to remit the fees of the Clerk, Sheriff or Commonwealth's Attorney in penal or criminal cases.
Published by: MICHAEL G. ADAMS
Secretary of State
IPL0356963
Jul 12 2026