Secretary of State Trey Grayson praised members of the Kentucky Senate State & Local Government committee today, for passing House Bill 26 by a unanimous vote. 

“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,” stated Secretary Grayson.  “The bi-partisan effort of this committee to protect Kentucky’s election process from fraud & corruption deserves highest praise.” 

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 there after, the State filed a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.  The court denied that request last November.

# # #