Constitutional Amendment 1: Limits on pardons near a governor's electionNo pardons by a governor in the weeks around a governor's election
Read the full text of the measure: 2026 Acts Chapter 12 (Senate Bill 10), the enacted amendment text (PDF)
In plain words
Today Kentucky's governor can pardon people (forgive a crime) or commute sentences (make a prison sentence shorter) at any time. This amendment would block both during a window that starts 60 days before the election for governor and runs until the next term begins. The rest of the four-year term would not change. (kentuckylantern.com )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| When can the governor pardon or shorten sentences? | Any time during the term | Any time except from 60 days before the governor's election until the new term begins |
| Who is affected by the blackout? | No blackout | Every governor, every four years, whether or not they are running again |
| Wording of Section 77 | Uses "He" for the governor | Says "the Governor" and "him or her" |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (legislature.ky.gov (Kentucky General Assembly) )
Biggest change
- Adds a period, starting 60 days before the election for governor, when no governor may grant a pardon or commute a sentence. source: legislature.ky.gov (Kentucky General Assembly)
- Changes the wording of Section 77 so it refers to "the Governor" and "him or her" instead of "He." source: legislature.ky.gov (Kentucky General Assembly)
- The amendment's own text ends the no-pardon period on "the fifth Tuesday succeeding the election." The ballot question describes the same end point as "when the Governor is sworn in for that term." source: legislature.ky.gov (Kentucky General Assembly)
Who it affects most: People asking a governor for a pardon or a shorter sentence near the end of a governor's term.
Cost to the state: No state cost was estimated. The legislature's local-mandate note says the cost to counties of putting it on the ballot is "minimal" (extra ballot programming and printing).
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Governors could not pardon anyone or shorten sentences from 60 days before each governor's election until the next term starts.
Governors keep the power to pardon and shorten sentences at any time during their term.
Our one-line summary. Kentucky does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- Before leaving office in December 2019, Gov. Matt Bevin issued more than 600 pardons and sentence reductions, including for people convicted of murder and of child sexual assault. source: nkytribune.com
- Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Ryland Heights) pursued this change for seven years. The 2026 bill, Senate Bill 10, passed the Senate 36-0 on Jan. 20, passed the House 82-12 with a change on April 1, and the Senate agreed 36-1 the same day. source: legislature.ky.gov (Kentucky General Assembly)
- The 60-day start was picked so early and absentee voters would know about any pardons before they vote. source: kentuckylantern.com
Why supporters want it
- Sen. Chris McDaniel, the sponsor, says the change adds accountability, that pardons should not be granted out of sight before voters go to the polls, and that governors keep the power for most of each four-year term. source: kentuckylantern.com
Why opponents object
- Scottie Ellis, a spokesperson for Gov. Andy Beshear, said Bevin clearly abused the pardon power but argued the fix is electing better governors, not limiting pardons. source: kentuckylantern.com
- Eric King of the ACLU of Kentucky said limiting pardons weakens an important safety valve in an imperfect justice system, and cautioned against changing the constitution because of one person's actions. source: kentuckylantern.com
Who backs each side
- For: Sen. Chris McDaniel and the 12 Senate co-sponsors listed on SB 10; it passed both chambers with members of both parties voting yes. Against: the ACLU of Kentucky; Gov. Beshear's office questioned the need. No public record found of campaign committees or money for either side. source: legislature.ky.gov (Kentucky General Assembly)
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the 2026 Acts Chapter 12 (Senate Bill 10), Section 1 .
Are you in favor of limiting a Governor's ability to grant pardons or commute sentences by prohibiting him or her from granting pardons or commuting sentences during the time period beginning 60 days prior to the general election at which the Governor is elected, and ending when the Governor is sworn in for that term by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below?
Are you in favor of limiting a Governor's ability to grant pardons or commute sentences by prohibiting him or her from granting pardons or commuting sentences during the time period beginning 60 days prior to the general election at which the Governor is elected, and ending when the Governor is sworn in for that term by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below?
YES
NO
Checked word for word against 2026 Acts Chapter 12, Section 1 (raw/0012.pdf, saved Oct 14 2026).
Latest news
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Full text of the measure
The full amendment changes Section 77 of the Kentucky Constitution. It is printed on the ballot under the question and is in 2026 Acts Chapter 12. Read it in the 2026 Acts Chapter 12 (Senate Bill 10), the enacted amendment text (PDF) , or on the Legislature's page for Senate Bill 10 (2026 Regular Session), 2026 Acts Chapter 12 , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- Kentucky Secretary of State: 2026 Constitutional Amendment
- Secretary of State: the 2026 constitutional amendment
- Kentucky General Assembly: Senate Bill 10 (2026)
- Kentucky Lantern: Kentuckians will vote on pardon limits
- NKyTribune: the pardon amendment on the ballot
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.