Gov. Bevin restores ex-felons' civil rights for the first time

For the first time since taking office in late 2015, Gov. Matt Bevin has exercised his ability to restore civil rights to ex-felons.

Bevin filed 24 restorations of civil rights this week, which will allow two dozen people to vote again, according to Bradford Queen, spokesman for Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes's office. The Secretary of State received the governor's orders on Monday.

These orders restore the right to vote and hold public office but do not restore some other civil rights, like the right to possess a gun or serve on a jury. These restorations are the first ones Bevin has issued since he became governor, Queen said. Kentucky's constitution only allows the governor to restore these rights.

In a statement Monday afternoon, the governor's office said the new orders exclude people convicted of violent offenses, sex crimes, bribery or treason.

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2017/04/03/gov-bevin-restores-felons-civil-rights/99982776/