There was lengthy debate today in the Senate chambers about election fraud.

Since the year 2020.

Kentuckians have needed a photo ID to vote.

There are few exceptions to that law.

Well, today, lawmakers debated whether to further restrict the types of identification that can be used to cast a ballot.

Our Emily Sisk breaks down the argument as we continue our legislative update.

Should Kentucky voters have to show a photo ID in order to cast a vote?

Senator Lindsey Titchener says yes.

And her Senate bill 154 would make that a requirement.

The county Republican explained the rationale behind her legislation.

You have to show a photo ID in a variety of places across the state in order to enter buildings, in order to purchase things, in order to rent equipment or cars, a hotel, you have to show a photo ID.

Senate Bill 154 would restrict voters from using their Social Security card or debit card as identification.

Since these methods don't have a photo, State Board of Elections data showed that in the 2024 general election, nearly 1000 voters used their Social Security card.

And about 70 people used their food stamps card to vote.

The Senate minority whip argued there was no proof that any of these voters were fraudulent.

It makes it harder for people to vote, even though the sponsor, the senator from Oldham, acknowledged in committee that we have no evidence that any of the thousand people who voted using these means of identification in the last election did so fraudulently.

The Senate President spoke in favor of the bill, reminding lawmakers of past instances of voter fraud, saying it happens more often than folks might realize.

I can remember the day when one of our own members wore an ankle bracelet on this floor, having pled to a voter fraud federal offense.

A Carter County Republican said.

Until the General Assembly paves the way for easier photo ID access.

She couldn't support the legislation.

But we need to do better in providing the opportunity for ID be to the citizens in rural Kentucky.

Senator Webb was the only Republican to vote against SB 154.

It passed with a vote of 31 to 7.

Another measure that passed off the floor was Senate Bill 80, a bipartisan effort to restore former inmates voting rights.

The legislation would form a constitutional amendment for Kentucky voters to accept or decline.

This amendment provides for automatic restoration of voting rights after the completion of the sentence, and probation for most felony offenses.

These individuals are working class people.

There are business owners.

They are taxpayers.

Senate Bill 80 passed with a vote of 35 to 3 for Kentucky edition.

I'm Emily Sisk.

Thank you Emily.

And Senate Bill 80, which has bipartisan sponsorship, says that anyone convicted of election fraud, violent or sexual felonies or a felony against a child would not be eligible to have their voting rights automatically restored.