Paul takes voter rights fight home

Sen. Rand Paul took his push for restoring felons voting rights to the state level on Wednesday, testifying before a Kentucky Legislature committee and urging his home state to lead the way.

The Republican lawmaker was testifying before the state Senate State and Local Government Committee at midday on Wednesday to advocate passage of a bill that would give felons back the right to vote at the end of their sentence, parole or probation through a constitutional amendment.

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Paul tweeted Wednesday morning about his push for voting rights restoration, both at the federal and state level.

The Kentucky bill, H.B. 70, had a good shot of passage after years of no movement, according to The Lexington-Herald Leader. It has already cleared the House, and if it passes the Senate, voters will be able to ratify the amendment to the state constitution in November.

The bill exempts felons convicted of treason, sex crimes, murder and bribery.

Criminal justice reform has been a key issue for Paul, an area in which he has found himself in agreement with Democrats including Attorney General Eric Holder, who also pushed for felon voting rights last week.

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Paul takes voter rights fight home