What are they REALLY saying?: Automatic restoration of Felons' voting rights.

This week's question is: Do you support a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights to felons once they have completed their full sentence?

Here are their responses -- in their own words!

Democrats:

Steve Beshear: "... I believe that Kentuckians who have paid their debt to society should have their applications for voting rights restoration reviewed in a timely manner." Steve does NOT support automatic restoration of voting rights -- just a timely review process.

Gatewood Galbraith: "I agree that many convicted felons should have their voting rights and other civil rights restored -- with sex, child crimes and PFOs." Gatewood believes in restoration of voting rights for felons with some exceptions.

Steve Henry: "I favor a process by which felons can have their voting rights restored – not automatically, ... ." No automatic restoration of voting rights for Steve.

Otis Hensley: "I will support the mandatory restoration of voting rights after completion of sentence and restitution has been made for non-violent felons." Otis supports automatic restoration of voting rights for non-violent felons.

Bruce Lunsford: "I support the automatic restoration of voting rights for non-violent offenders who have served their time and paid their debt to society." Bruce, like Otis, supports the automatic restoration of voting rights for non-violent offenders.

Jonathan Miller: "After one has served time, repaid his or her debt and re-enters society, there should be a process to have voting rights restored." Jonathan omitted "automatic" from his answer, so it must mean he doesn't support automatic restoration of voting rights.

Jody Richards: "Kentucky and Virginia are the only two states that do not automatically grant voting rights to felons who have served out their full sentences, including probation and parole. I believe that there should be a reprieve for those who were not convicted of a violent or sexual offense. Once they have served their punishment, they should be given one of the most crucial rights we as citizens have." Though Jody did NOT come out and say it like Otis and Bruce, I believe he is saying -- without saying so -- that he is in favor of automatic restoration of voting rights, except for violent and sex offenders.

Republicans:

Ernie Fletcher: "I do not think that it is too much to ask of a person who knowingly committed the most serious of crimes to comply with a few simple steps to have those precious rights restored." Ernie does not support the automatic restoration of voting rights for felons.

Anne Northup: "No, I oppose a constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights for felons."

Billy Harper: "Convicted felons need to work their way back into society and earn their voting rights." Billy does not support automatic restoration of voting rights for felons.

That's all folks, the candidates in their own words, deciphered.