FRANKFORT, Ky. — In one of his first major acts in office, Gov. Matt Bevin issued a series of executive orders Tuesday to remove the names of county clerks from marriage licenses in Kentucky and halt efforts by former Gov. Steve Beshear to restore voting rights to certain felons who have completed their sentences.

Bevin said in a statement that he was upholding commitments he made during his campaign for governor.

“While I have been a vocal supporter of the restoration of rights, for example, it is an issue that must be addressed through the legislature and by the will of the people,” he said. “As we move into the new year and upcoming session, I look forward to working with legislators and stakeholders to build consensus and drive policy that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of all Kentuckians.”

Beshear signed an executive order in November that streamlined the process for former felons to regain their voting rights. It also established a new process to automatically restore rights to current felons as they complete their sentences and move out of the correctional system.

Read the article “Kentucky Gov. Bevin Orders the Removal of County Clerks’ Names from Marriage Licenses” on courier-journal.com.