Secretary of State Trey Grayson greeted the news of passage of House Bill 26 with praise for members of the Kentucky Legislature.  The bill, sponsored by Representative Adrian Arnold (D-Mount Sterling), now goes to the Governor for his consideration.

“I congratulate the legislature for its strong 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 Legislature’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 thereafter, 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 appreciate the leadership of Chairman Arnold and his colleague in the Senate, Chairman Damon Thayer, for their efforts to pass the critically important legislation.”

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