05-02-2025
Idiots technically can't vote in Kentucky. This law seeks to amend that language
Kentucky's Constitution outlines who doesn't have the right to vote in the state. That includes some criminals — and currently also lists "idiots and insane persons."
According to Merriam-Webster, a former definition of the word "idiot" — "a person affected with extreme intellectual disability" — is outdated and now considered offensive in that context. The other definition is "a foolish or stupid person." (Similarly, the word "insane" formerly referred to a "severely disordered state of mind," but that's now considered an offensive use of the word.)
Changing the language will require voters — even the foolish ones — to decide on a constitutional amendment.
A bill recently filed in the Kentucky General Assembly seeks to add a ballot question for voters that would change the language to its intended goal of taking voting rights away from those deemed mentally incompetent. Here's what's in the bill.
The bill, if passed, would ask voters to change language in Section 145 of the Kentucky Constitution. Currently, it lists "idiots and insane persons" as not having the right to vote. The new language would instead refer to "persons who have been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court."
Rep. Kim Holloway, R-Mayfield, sponsored the bill to replace the language in the Kentucky Constitution.
Opinion | Gerth: If you're an 'idiot' or 'insane,' you can't vote in Kentucky
A ballot question would ask voters if they are "in favor of amending Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to prohibit persons adjudged mentally incompetent by a court from voting." That language would replace "idiots and insane persons."
The bill was introduced in the House on Feb. 4 and has been assigned to the Committee on Committees.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky law seeks to change language about 'idiots, insane persons'
