Kentucky voters would choose their governors – and other state offices – the same time they vote for president under a proposed constitutional amended that passed the state Senate on Thursday.
If the proposal is ratified by voters in November, elections for statewide offices such as governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and agriculture commissioner would coincide with presidential elections beginning in 2024.
Those positions would have a one-time, five-year term beginning with the 2019 elections.
Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill, told lawmakers there would be considerable savings in every county in Kentucky.
“This will save the commonwealth of Kentucky millions of dollars,” he said. “Some counties will also save a million dollars, but every county will realize savings of several thousands of dollars per precinct inside that county.”
Sen. Will Schroeder, R-Wilder, gave another reason to support the measure.
“We always hear about low voter turnout during our statewide elections,” he said. “This is a simple solution to that.”
But Senate Democrats disagreed, among them, Sen. Ray Jones, D-Pikeville. “What this is really about is moving to the Presidential election cycle, in hopes of giving the GOP an advantage.”
He feared outside dark money would play a bigger factor in Kentucky races.
Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson also opposed the measure.
“I think we’re tinkering with something for political gain, or perceived political gain,” she said. “Leaving the elections where they are sets or state issues and national issues apart.”
The measure passed 24-11 along party lines. It now heads to the House.
The Senate also approved a bill, SB 70, authorizing an $8 million capital project at the University of Louisville to build a television broadcast and production studio, along with building or renovating associated infrastructure.
McDaniel, who also sponsored that legislation, said this is needed for U of L’s participation in a new ACC Network.
“Late last spring they were notified the studio had to be operational by August of this year. Funds to support this will be paid for out of TV revenue, affiliated with the ACC contract. So there will be no general funds expended.”
The schools are going to be going together on a package to buy broadcast equipment, according to McDaniel.
“If Louisville misses the deadline for that purchase, it will cost the school an additional $5 million.”
The bill passed 34-0 and heads to the House. SB 70 includes an emergency clause, so it would be effective immediately after it passes the House and is signed by the governor.
State lawmakers will have a long weekend. Due to the threat of snow and ice moving across the state from west to east on Friday, both chambers adjourned until Tuesday since Monday is being observed as Martin Luther King Day.
By Kentucky Today
