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A RESOLUTION recognizing the guiding principles of elections in Kentucky. 1
WHEREAS, the strength of the American republic begins with fair and secure 2
elections that inspire public confidence; and 3
WHEREAS, the goal of election policy is to deliver a well -run process open to all 4
voters, protected by safeguards that ensure that only lawful ballots are counted, and 5
administered according to the law; and 6
WHEREAS, the Un ited States Constitution gives the primary responsibility for 7
regulating elections to the states, a decentralized approach that incentivizes innovation 8
and the development of robust election policies; and 9
WHEREAS, when states adopt laws that strengthen the integrity of elections, the 10
public is more likely to participate, helping to ensure a representative government that is 11
accountable to the citizens; 12
NOW, THEREFORE, 13
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 14
Commonwealth of Kentucky: 15
Section 1. The members of the House of Representatives recognize and affirm 16
that: 17
(1) Kentucky's elections should be conducted in such a way that reflects each of 18
the following guiding principles of elections: 19
(a) SECURITY AND ACCESSIBILITY: It should be easy for the average citizen to 20
vote, but convenience should never come at the expense of security. States should 21
establish core safeguards that protect election integrity and inspire public confidence and 22
participation in the voting process; 23
(b) REPRESENTATIVE: The purpose of election law is to ensure a fair and 24
orderly system that holds go vernment accountable to the citizenry. Election policies 25
should not be established to tilt elections in favor of particular outcomes, and 26
policymakers should ensure that only citizens are able to vote in federal, state, and local 27
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elections; 1
(c) STABILITY A ND UNIFORMITY : Election laws should be applied evenly 2
throughout a state and provide certainty to voters and election officials alike. Changes to 3
voting procedures during an election should be avoided; 4
(d) RELIABILITY AND ACCURACY: Election laws should be designed to deliver 5
prompt and accurate results. The ultimate objective of elections is to accurately reflect the 6
votes cast by the voters in an election, and election laws should be constructed and 7
administered in a manner that ensures and confirms accuracy; 8
(e) TRANSPARENCY: Election administration should never be hidden from the 9
public. Every stage of the voting process, from registration through tabulation, should be 10
visible to the public; 11
(f) ACCOUNTABILITY: Elections should always be administered acco rding to 12
the laws crafted by elected legislators, and those laws should be fully enforced; and 13
(g) FEDERALISM: Policymakers should protect America's decentralized election 14
system and the primary role that states play regulating and conducting elections; 15
(2) The adoption of these guiding principles results in many benefits, including 16
higher voter turnout. When citizens see that elections are secure and well -run, they are 17
more likely to vote, which leads to more representative elections at all levels of 18
government and holds government accountable to the citizenry. These key principles also 19
instill greater confidence in our electoral process. The public is more likely to trust an 20
election that is transparent and administered according to the law, particularly when those 21
laws are designed to ensure a fair process rather than influence the eventual results; and 22
(3) Kentucky's election laws should continue to mirror these guiding principles to 23
ensure the highest level of integrity, as effective safeguards and prope r enforcement deter 24
bad actors from abusing the voting process, while sending a powerful message to the 25
public that the foundation of republican self-government is secure. 26
Section 2. The Clerk of the House of Representat ives is directed to transmit a 27
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copy of this Resolution to Representative John Hodgson, Secretary of State Michael G. 1
Adams, and the Kentucky State Board of Elections. 2