ELECTION OFFENSES AND PROSECUTIONS

KRS tit. X, ch. 119

in effect

KRS 119.005 Definitions for chapter

119.005. Definitions for chapter As used in this chapter: (1) A "ballot" or "official ballot" means the official presentation of offices and candidates to be voted for, including write-in candidates, and all public questions submitted for determination, and shall include a voting machine ballot, a paper ballot, an absentee ballot, a special ballot, a federal provisional ballot, a federal provisional absentee ballot, or a supplemental paper ballot which has been authorized for the use of the voters in any primary or regular or special election by the Secretary of State or the county clerk; (2) "Ballot box" means any box, bag, or other container that can be locked, sealed, or otherwise rendered tamper-resistant, for receiving ballots; (3) "Election administration information system" means any computer-based information technology application used by the Commonwealth in the administration of elections; (4) "Election officer" has the same meaning as in KRS 118.015; (5) "Voting equipment" means any physical component of a voting system and includes voting machines where voting machines are in operation; (6) "Voting machine" or "machine" means a part of a voting system that consists of one (1) or more electronic devices that operate independently or as a combination of a ballot-marking device and an electronic or automatic vote-tabulating device; and (7) "Voting system" means: (a) The total combination of physical, mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic equipment, including the software, hardware, firmware, and documentation required to program, control, and support that equipment, that is used to: 1. Define ballots; 2. Cast and count votes; 3. Report or display election results; and 4. Maintain and produce any audit trail information; and (b) The practices and associated documentation used to: 1. Identify system components and versions of those components; 2. Test the system during its development and maintenance; 3. Maintain records of system errors and defects; 4. Determine specific system changes to be made to a system after the initial qualification of the system; and 5. Make available any materials to the voter, such as notices, instructions, forms, or paper ballots. Effective: April 27, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 224, sec. 26, effective April 27, 2024. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 87, sec. 24, effective April 7, 2022. -- Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 197, sec. 63, effective June 29, 2021. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 89, sec. 30, effective July 15, 2020. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 360, sec. 11, effective July 15, 1982.

KRS 119.015 Clerk making or permitting wrongful registration, or failing or refusing to deliver copies of registration records -- Penalty

119.015. Clerk making or permitting wrongful registration, or failing or refusing to deliver copies of registration records -- Penalty Any county clerk or deputy county clerk who fraudulently registers the name of any person, or permits any person to register knowing that the person is not entitled to register, or who fails or refuses to deliver copies of the registration records to a person entitled thereto, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. Effective: April 14, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 175, sec. 17, effective April 14, 2026. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 64, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 63.

KRS 119.025 Wrongful registration

119.025. Wrongful registration Any person who knowingly or fraudulently causes himself to be registered in more than one (1) precinct, or to be registered more than once, or in a precinct other than the one in which he is a legal voter, or who registers under any name other than his real name, or who gives a false address, or who in any manner causes himself to be registered when he is not legally entitled to register, or who makes a false oath as to his ability to read or write, or who knowingly or fraudulently aids, abets, counsels or advises in the commission of any such act, shall be subject to the penalties prescribed for Class D felonies. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 65, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 64.

KRS 119.035 Alteration, suppression, mutilation, or destruction of registration record -- Making or using false or fraudulent record

119.035. Alteration, suppression, mutilation, or destruction of registration record -- Making or using false or fraudulent record Any person who fraudulently or unlawfully alters any registration record, or fraudulently adds any name thereto, or willfully secretes, suppresses, mutilates or destroys any registration record, or makes or uses any false or fraudulent registration record, and any person who aids or abets in the commission of such act, shall be subject to the penalties prescribed for Class D felonies. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 66, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 65.

KRS 119.045 Interfering with registration

119.045. Interfering with registration Any person who attempts to or forcibly prevents any person from registering, or in any way unlawfully interferes with any person registering, or prevents or interferes with a clerk or registration officer in carrying out his duties with relation to the registration of voters, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 67, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 66.

KRS 119.056 Alteration, mutilation, or suppression of nomination papers

119.056. Alteration, mutilation, or suppression of nomination papers Any person in possession of nomination papers for attaining ballot access entitled to be filed under the statutes relating to primaries, regular and special elections who wrongfully alters, mutilates or suppresses such papers, or wrongfully fails to cause them to be filed at the proper time in the proper office, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: July 15, 2008 History: Amended 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 79, sec. 9, effective July 15, 2008. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 68, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 67.

KRS 119.065 Forgery of nomination papers

119.065. Forgery of nomination papers Any person who forges the name of a signer to a nomination paper shall be guilty of a Class C felony. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 69, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 68.

KRS 119.076 Clerk's failure to place candidate's name on ballot

119.076. Clerk's failure to place candidate's name on ballot Any county clerk who willfully and knowingly refuses or fails to have the name of any candidate printed upon the official ballot in the manner provided by law shall be guilty of a Class D felony. Effective: July 13 ,1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 70, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 69.

KRS 119.095 Printer's violation of duty in printing ballots

119.095. Printer's violation of duty in printing ballots Any printer of ballots, or person employed in printing ballots, who prints or permits to be printed any ballot in any other form than the one prescribed by law, or with any name or device placed, spelled or arranged thereon other than as authorized and directed by the county clerk, or who gives or delivers, or knowingly permits to be taken, any ballot by any person other than the county clerk for whom the ballots are being printed, shall be guilty of a Class C felony. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 71, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 71.

KRS 119.105 Removal or destruction of election supplies or booths

119.105. Removal or destruction of election supplies or booths (1) Any person who steals or willfully destroys any of the election supplies required to be furnished by the county clerk shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200), and imprisoned in the county jail for not less than one (1) month nor more than six (6) months. (2) Any person who, during an election, knowingly and willfully removes or defaces the cards printed for the instruction of the voters, or destroys or removes any booth or other convenience provided for the election, or induces or attempts to induce any person to commit any such act, shall be imprisoned in the county jail for not less than six (6) months nor more than one (1) year. History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 72.

KRS 119.115 Unauthorized possession of key to voting machine, equipment, or system -- Tampering with, injuring, or destroying ballot, e -poll book, administration information system, machine, equipment, or system

119.115. Unauthorized possession of key to voting machine, equipment, or system -- Tampering with, injuring, or destroying ballot, e -poll book, administration information system, machine, equipment, or system (1) Any unauthorized person found in possession of any key to a voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system to be used or being used in any primary, regular election, or special election shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. (2) Any person who, during or before any primary, regular ele ction, or special election, willfully tampers with or attempts to tamper with, disarrange, deface, impair in any manner whatsoever, injures, or destroys any ballot, e -poll book, election administration information system, voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system while in use at an election or at any other time, or who shall, after such voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system is locked and sealed in order to preserve the record of the vote, tamper with or attempt to tamper with the recor d of the vote, or who aids or abets with intent to destroy or change the record of the vote shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (3) Any election official, or other person entrusted with the custody or control of any voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system shall be guilty of a Class D felony if he or she knowingly and intentionally: (a) Causes or permits any voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system to fail to correctly register or count votes cast, tampers with or disarranges such voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system in any way; (b) Unlawfully opens a voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system; (c) Prevents or attempts to prevent the correct operation of a voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system; (d) Causes a voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system to be used or consents to its being used for any election with knowledge of the fact that the voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system is not in order, or not perfectly set and adjusted to correctly register all votes cast; (e) Removes, changes, or mutilates any ballot; or (f) Directly connects or attempts to directly connect a voting machine, voting equipment, or voting system that tabulates or aggregates votes to a public network, including the internet, at any time. Effective: April 27, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 224, sec. 27, effective April 27, 2024. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 87, sec. 21, effective April 7, 2022. -- Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 197, sec. 64, effective June 29, 2021. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 463, sec. 11, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 72, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 111, sec. 65, effective July 13, 1984. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 277, sec. 1.

KRS 119.125 Sheriff's failure to hold election or perform other election duties

119.125. Sheriff's failure to hold election or perform other election duties Any sheriff who willfully fails to cause an election to be held, as required by law, shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). Any sheriff who willfully fails to perform any other duty concerning an election, for which there is no penalty specifically prescribed, shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200). History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 73.

KRS 119.145 Election officer's refusal to admit challenger

119.145. Election officer's refusal to admit challenger Any election officer who refuses to permit any challenger of any political party having a ticket to be voted for at an election, who has been duly appointed and presents a duly attested certificate of appointment, to perform his duties as challenger, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 75.

KRS 119.155 Preventing voter from casting ballot -- Interfering with election

119.155. Preventing voter from casting ballot -- Interfering with election (1) Any person who unlawfully prevents or attempts to prevent any voter from casting his ballot, or intimidates or attempts to intimidate any voter so as to prevent him from casting his ballot, or who unlawfully interferes with the election officers in the discharge of their duties, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (2) Any person who, by himself or in aid of others, forcibly breaks up or prevents, or attempts to break up or prevent, or obstructs or attempts to obstruct, the lawful holding of an election, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 73, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 76.

KRS 119.165 Penalties for falsely personating a voter or voting by nonresident or unqualified person or convicted felon

119.165. Penalties for falsely personating a voter or voting by nonresident or unqualified person or convicted felon (1) Any person who falsely personates a registered voter, and receives and casts a ballot by means of such personation, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. An attempt at such personation shall constitute a Class A misdemeanor. (2) Any person who, by means other than falsely personating a registered voter, votes at an election in this state when he or she is a resident of another state or country, or votes more than once at an election, or votes by use of the naturalization papers of another person, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. Any person who knowingly votes or attempts to vote in a precinct other than the one in which he or she resides shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, unless by voting in a precinct in which he or she does not live he is enabled to vote in a race or on a matter in which he or she could not vote in his or her proper precinct in which case he or she shall be guilty of a Class D felony. Any person who lends or hires his, hers, or another's naturalization papers to be used for the purpose of voting shall be subject to the same penalty. (3) Any person who has been convicted of a felony offense and has not previously been restored to their voting rights who then knowingly votes or attempts to vote shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (4) Any resident of this state who, by means other than falsely personating a registered voter, votes before he or she has become a citizen, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. (5) Any person who, by means other than falsely personating a registered voter, votes in a primary election knowing that he or she is not qualified as provided in KRS 116.055, shall be guilty of a violation. (6) Any person who applies for or receives a ballot at any voting place other than the one at which he or she is entitled to vote, under circumstances not constituting a violation of any of the provisions of subsections (1) to (3) of this section, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: April 14, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 175, sec. 18, effective April 14, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 125, sec. 23, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 74, sec. 7, effective June 29, 2023. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 463, sec. 12, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 74, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 77.

KRS 119.175 Receipt of illegal vote or rejection of legal vote by election officer

119.175. Receipt of illegal vote or rejection of legal vote by election officer (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any officer of election who receives, assents to receive or records a vote at an election at a time or place known by him not to be the time and place lawfully appointed, or who knowingly receives the vote of any person other than a qualified voter, or refuses to receive the vote of a qualified voter, shall, for each offense, be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), and shall forfeit any office he holds and be disqualified from ever holding any office. (2) Any judge of a primary election who knowingly receives a vote of an elector who is not qualified to vote in the primary election under KRS 116.055 shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense. History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 78.

KRS 119.185 Disobeying election officer's command

119.185. Disobeying election officer's command Any person who willfully disobeys any lawful command of an election officer, given in the execution of his duty as such at an election, shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 79.

KRS 119.195 Removing or tampering with ballots

119.195. Removing or tampering with ballots (1) Any person who, during an election, knowingly and willfully removes or attempts to remove an official ballot from the election room, or has in his possession outside the election room any official ballot, either genuine or counterfeit, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (2) Any voter who attempts to leave the election room with an official ballot in his possession shall at once be arrested on demand of either of the judges of election and shall be guilty of a violation, unless the act was done knowingly in which event he shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. (3) Any person who takes or removes in any manner, feloniously or with the consent or permission of the custodian, any official ballot from any place where it may lawfully be, or knowingly and willfully has in his possession or custody any such official ballot, except as an officer or custodian under the law or while within the polling place for the purpose of voting, and any custodian or officer who permits any official ballot to be removed or carried away from the place where it may lawfully be by any person other than the officer or custodian whose duty it is to receive it, shall be guilty of a Class C felony. (4) Any election officer, or other person entrusted with the custody or control of any official ballot, either before or after it has been voted, who in any way marks, mutilates, or defaces any official ballot or places any distinguishing mark thereon, for the purpose of vitiating the official ballot, shall be guilty of a Class C felony. (5) Any person who unlawfully destroys or attempts to destroy any official ballot box used, or any official ballot deposited, at any election, or who unlawfully, by force, fraud, or other improper means, obtains or attempts to obtain possession of any ballot box or any official ballot therein deposited, while the voting at any election is going on or before the official ballots are duly taken out and counted according to law, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (6) Any election officer who mutilates or tampers with any of the seals, or destroys or removes any official ballots required to be preserved, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (7) Any county clerk who knowingly and willfully opens any ballot box and removes any official ballot therefrom, or removes, destroys, or tampers with a ballot box and official ballots left in his care and custody, or permits any other person to do so, during the period the boxes are required to remain locked in his office, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (8) Any person who removes, mutilates, or destroys, or adds any new official ballots to, the regular official ballots that have been counted and prepared for preservation, or that have already been preserved, so that the result of the election in the precinct or county is changed, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (9) Any person who tampers with or changes the official ballots, or opens the receptacles in which the official ballots are contained without the order of the court, after the ballots have been sent to the Franklin County courthouse in connection with the contest of a constitutional amendment, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. Effective: July 14, 1992 History: Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 463, sec. 13, effective July 14, 1992. --Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 75, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 14. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 80.

KRS 119.205 Making or receiving expenditures for vote, for withholding of vote, or for signing a petition to have public question on ballot -- Definition of "expenditure" -- Procedures for paying for transportation of voters -- Applicability of KRS 502.020

119.205. Making or receiving expenditures for vote, for withholding of vote, or for signing a petition to have public question on ballot -- Definition of "expenditure" -- Procedures for paying for transportation of voters -- Applicability of KRS 502.020 (1) Any person who makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate or public question at an election shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (2) Any person who solicits, accepts, or receives any such expenditure as payment or consideration for his vote, or the withholding of his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate or public question at an election shall be guilty of a Class D felony. (3) Any person who makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person to sign a petition to have a public question placed on the ballot, or any person who solicits, accepts, or receives any such expenditure as payment or consideration to sign a petition to have a public question placed on the ballot, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. (4) For purposes of this section, "expenditure" means any of the following when intended as payment or consideration for voting or withholding a vote, voting for or against any candidate or public question, or signing a petition to have a public question placed on the ballot: (a) A payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value; or (b) A contract, promise, or agreement, express or implied, whether or not legally enforceable, to make a payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value. "Expenditure," as used in this section, shall not include the distribution of materials bearing the name, likeness, or other identification of a candidate, political party, committee, or organization, or position on a public question and not intended as payment or consideration for voting or withholding a vote, voting for or against any candidate or public question, or signing a petition to have a public question placed on the ballot. (5) Any candidate or committee, or any person on his behalf, who pays any person, including campaign workers, for transporting voters to the polls on the day of the election, shall make all payments by check. All payments, regardless of amount, shall be reported to the Registry of Election Finance in the manner that the Registry shall provide by administrative regulation. Any person who knowingly violates any requirement of this subsection shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. (6) In addition to the above provisions, a person may be convicted of a violation of this section pursuant to KRS 502.020. Effective: July 14, 2000 History: Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 53, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000. -- Repealed, reenacted, and amended 1991 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 1, effective February 15, 1991. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 76, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 341, sec. 37, effective July 15, 1988. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 81.

KRS 119.207 Prohibition against paying compensation based upon number or characteristics of voters registered

119.207. Prohibition against paying compensation based upon number or characteristics of voters registered Any person who provides compensation or makes any such expenditure as payment or consideration for registering voters that is based upon the total number of voters a person registers or the total number of voters a person registers in a particular party, political group, political organization, or voters of independent status shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Effective: March 30, 2006 History: Created 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 107, sec. 1, effective March 30, 2006.

KRS 119.225 Denial of rights of inspectors by county board of elections

119.225. Denial of rights of inspectors by county board of elections Any member of a county board of elections who refuses to permit an inspector designated under KRS 117.275 and 117.315 to exercise free and full action in witnessing the count of the ballots, or interferes with the right of such an inspector to have a free and full opportunity to witness the count of the ballots, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 77, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 394, sec. 35, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 83.

KRS 119.235 Alteration, suppression, or destruction of stub book, return, or certificate of election

119.235. Alteration, suppression, or destruction of stub book, return, or certificate of election Any person who willfully alters, obliterates, secretes, suppresses or destroys a stub book, return or certificate of election, and any officer who makes, aids in making or authorizes the making of any false or fraudulent stub book, certificate of election or election return, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 78, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 84.

KRS 119.245 Violation of law or failure to perform duty by member of board of elections

119.245. Violation of law or failure to perform duty by member of board of elections Any member of the State Board of Elections or of a county board of elections who willfully and knowingly violates any provision of the statutes relating to his duties, or fails to execute faithfully any of the duties imposed upon him by law, for which no other penalty is provided, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 79, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 394, sec. 36, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 85.

KRS 119.255 Intimidation of election officer or board of elections

119.255. Intimidation of election officer or board of elections Any person who, by threat of violence or in any other manner, intimidates or attempts to intimidate the election officers, the State Board of Elections or a county board of elections in the performance of their duty and any persons who conspire together and go forth armed for the purpose of intimidating said officers, shall be guilty of a Class D felony. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 80, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 394, sec. 37, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 86.

KRS 119.265 Violation of duties for which no other penalty provided

119.265. Violation of duties for which no other penalty provided Any public officer who willfully neglects to perform a duty imposed upon him under the election laws, for which no other penalty is provided, or who willfully performs such duty in a way that hinders the objects of the election laws, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 81, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 87.

KRS 119.275 Advising or assisting violation of election laws

119.275. Advising or assisting violation of election laws Any person who counsels, advises, procures or aids in the commission of any of the offenses named in this chapter shall incur the penalty provided for committing such offense. History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 88.

KRS 119.277 Prohibitions against holding elective office

119.277. Prohibitions against holding elective office Any person who shall have been convicted of any election law offense which is a Class A misdemeanor shall not be permitted to hold elective office for a period of five (5) years following the conviction. Any person who shall have been convicted of any election law offense which is a felony shall not be permitted to hold elective office until his civil rights have been restored by executive pardon. Effective: July 15, 1988 History: Created 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 341, sec. 17, effective July 15, 1988.

KRS 119.285 Irregularity or defect in conduct of election no defense

119.285. Irregularity or defect in conduct of election no defense Irregularities or defects in the mode of convening or conducting an election shall constitute no defense to a prosecution for a violation of the election laws. History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 89.

KRS 119.295 Applicability of penalties for regular elections to primaries and to elections for United States Senator

119.295. Applicability of penalties for regular elections to primaries and to elections for United States Senator (1) Any act or deed denounced by the statutes concerning regular elections or concerning elections generally shall be an offense when committed in connection with a primary election held under KRS Chapter 118, and shall be punished in the same manner, and all the penalties for violation of the regular election laws shall apply with equal force to all similar violations of the provisions of the statutes relating to primary elections. (2) Penalties prescribed for offenses against the election laws in the election of other officers shall apply to elections for United States Senator. History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 90.

KRS 119.305 Report by election officers of violations -- Arrest of offenders

119.305. Report by election officers of violations -- Arrest of offenders Election officers shall give information of all infractions of the election laws to the grand jury, Commonwealth's attorney, Attorney General and the Registry of Election Finance. The election officers shall cooperate in any investigation or prosecution of election law violations. When there is reason to fear that an offender will escape out of the county before indictment, any election officer may procure his immediate apprehension. Effective: July 15, 1988 History: Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 341, sec. 38, effective July 15, 1988. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 91.

KRS 119.307 Report to grand jury on election officials inexcusably absent -- Subject to prosecution

119.307. Report to grand jury on election officials inexcusably absent -- Subject to prosecution The county board of elections shall present to the grand jury next convening subsequent to each election the names of those election officials who failed to appear and serve at the election and who had not been properly excused. Any such person may be subpoenaed and inquiry made of his absence, and if no good cause be shown, he shall be subject to prosecution. Effective: July 15, 1988 History: Created 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 341, sec. 18, effective July 15, 1988.

KRS 119.315 Grand jury may compel testimony as to violation of election laws

119.315. Grand jury may compel testimony as to violation of election laws Except as provided in KRS 119.325, any person who refuses, when summoned, to testify on oath before a grand jury as to any knowledge he may possess concerning any violation of law in relation to elections in the county during the preceding eighteen (18) months shall be imprisoned until he submits, and be fined not less than ten dollars ($10) nor more than thirty dollars ($30) by the court, and a like sum for each daily repetition of the contempt. History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 92.

KRS 119.325 Refusal to produce evidence of corrupt practices when summoned by grand jury a Class A misdemeanor

119.325. Refusal to produce evidence of corrupt practices when summoned by grand jury a Class A misdemeanor Any person having the possession of any books, correspondence or papers of a corporation that may show or tend to show any violation of the provisions of KRS 121.025, or of KRS 121.045 or 121.055, or of subsection (1) of KRS 121.310, who refuses, when summoned by a grand jury, to produce such books, correspondence or papers, or to appear and testify concerning them or to give any other evidence material to the matter under investigation, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: July 13, 1990 History: Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 82, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 93.

KRS 119.335 Evidence required to support conviction for violation of election laws

119.335. Evidence required to support conviction for violation of election laws No person shall be convicted of a violation of any of the statutes relating to elections upon the testimony of only one (1) witness, unless sustained by strong corroborating circumstances. History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 94.

KRS 119.345 Witness not exempted from giving incriminating testimony -- Immunity except from perjury charge

119.345. Witness not exempted from giving incriminating testimony -- Immunity except from perjury charge (1) At the discretion of the prosecuting attorney, in any prosecution under the election laws it shall be no exemption for a witness that his information may criminate himself, and no such information given by a witness shall be used against him in any prosecution, except for perjury, and if used on behalf of the Commonwealth he shall stand discharged from all penalties for any violation of the election laws so necessarily disclosed in the information he so discloses as tending to convict the accused. (2) The statement of any person testifying in any case pending under the provisions of KRS 121.025, 121.045, 121.055, or subsection (1) of KRS 121.310 shall not be used against him in any prosecution or civil proceeding. Effective: July 15, 1988 History: Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 341, sec. 39, effective July 15, 1988. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 95.

KRS 119.355 Limitation of prosecutions

119.355. Limitation of prosecutions No prosecution shall be had under the election laws where the penalty is less than confinement in the penitentiary unless the prosecution is commenced within two (2) years from the time of the commission of the offense. History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 96.

Source: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (legislature.ky.gov)URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=37600Fetched: 10/20/2026