Secretary of State Trey Grayson greeted the news of the Kentucky House of Representatives passage of House Bill 26 with praise for members of the Kentucky House.  The bill passed 97-0 in today’s floor vote.

“I applaud the bi-partisan support for a bill that can only benefit Kentucky voters,” stated Secretary Grayson.  “If we are to prevent fraud from entering the election process, it is necessary to create an environment that reflects this desire.  By banning electioneering near the polls, we prevent an atmosphere where corruption can flourish.  The House’s action today takes a significant step in dissolving that atmosphere.”

House Bill 26 creates a 300 ft. zone where electioneering is banned near polling locations.  The bill is necessary because on January 16, 2004 a three judge panel of the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the Commonwealth’s electioneering buffer zone, which prohibited electioneering within 500 feet of the polling place, was unconstitutional.  

The Office of the Attorney General, on behalf of the Board of Elections, asked the 6th Circuit to hear the case en banc.  In April, the Commonwealth’s petition for rehearing was denied.  Soon there after, the State filed a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.  The court denied that request last November.
 
 “I hope that the Senate will take similar action in order to produce the most fair and honorable elections possible for the citizens of Kentucky.”

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