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Kentucky · November 3, 2026 general election · Statewide ballot measure

Constitutional Amendment 1: what your vote means

Limit on pardons before and after governor elections. On every Kentucky ballot. Official sources checked October 21, 2026.

Constitutional Amendment 1 · Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

Limit on pardons before and after governor elections

Official ballot title (quoted exactly)

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?

Ballot question as printed on the official sample ballots published by the Kentucky Secretary of State.

A YES vote means:

The Governor could not grant pardons or commute sentences from 60 days before a gubernatorial election until the fifth Tuesday after the election.

A NO vote means:

The Governor’s pardon and commutation power stays as it is, limited only in cases of impeachment.

What it would change

  • Who is affected: the Governor and people seeking pardons or commutations.
  • Unchanged: the power to remit fines and forfeitures, and the requirement to file a public statement of reasons.
  • Where: Section 77 of the Kentucky Constitution.
  • Fiscal impact: No official fiscal statement is published for this amendment.

Who supports it and who opposes it

These lists come from official campaign filings (registered committees) and public endorsements, each linked to its source. They are not complete, and SaveYourState does not endorse anyone listed. Lists checked October 30, 2026.

Who supports it

Who opposes it

Official sources

SaveYourState is independent and nonpartisan, not a government site, and does not take positions on ballot measures. This explainer describes effects only, using the official ballot title, explanatory statement, full text, and fiscal impact statement. If anything here differs from those documents, the official documents control.