By Drew Adams
Murray, KY – Republican Secretary of State Nominee Bill Johnson has filed an ethics complaint over allowing homeless people to vote without requiring an address. Johnson's complaint, filed today contends that Secretary of State Elaine Walker and the State Board of Elections are violating the state constitution by registering voters without an address. Johnson states:
"The policy is basically saying that if somebody doesn't put an address on the registration card then put them in the precinct closest to the courthouse. Well clearly they can be put in a precinct in which they don't live; that's against the constitution. But also, they can vote in a mayor's race when they actually live out in the county. Or people could come into the state and vote when they don't even live in the state. So it's important to prevent fraud."
The board of elections says voting applications should be approved if they have "homeless" or "place to place" listed as the address. Bill Johnson said homeless people should have to list a verifiable address even if it is a shelter. Democratic nominee Alison Lundergan Grimes' campaign has said she does not believe homeless people have to list a specific address to vote. State Board of Elections Executive Director Sarah Ball Johnson says a long time policy of the state is to allow a county clerk to list their own office as an address for those who wish to register but do not have an address of their own.