Kentucky’s General Assembly has two chambers – the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 38 senators are elected to four-year terms; 100 representatives are chosen for two-year terms.

The members of the two chambers are divided into groups called “political parties.”  The two major parties are the Democrats and the Republicans.  The group having the larger number of members is called the “majority party.”  The smaller group is the “minority party.”

The legislature is the branch of government that makes new laws and changes old ones.  Our state legislature makes laws only for Kentucky.  It is made up of 138 members.  These men and women represent the views and concerns of the people in their legislative district.

A state senator must be at least 30 years old and have lived in Kentucky for at least six years.  A member of the House of Representatives must be at least 24 years old and have lived in Kentucky for two years.  Both senators and representatives must live in their legislative districts one year before election.

Kentucky’s General Assembly meets on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January.  Even-year sessions cover 60 working days and must end or “adjourn” by April 15.  Odd-year sessions cover 30 working days and must adjourn by March 30.  The governor may call the legislators into a special session to discuss important issues anytime during the year.

Kentucky is divided into 38 senate districts and 100 house districts.  Each district has about the same number of people in it.  The residents of each district elect one senator and one representative.  New district boundary lines are drawn every ten years after an official count called a “census” has been taken.  A census counts how many people live in the state and shows where they live.

Only a state senator or representative can vote on a new idea for a law, but anyone can get involved.   If you are at least 18 years old and registered with the Board of Election in your community, you can vote for who you would like to represent you in Kentucky’s House or Senate.  If you are not old enough to vote, you can still have a voice in Kentucky government.  Look around at the problems you see in Kentucky and learn as much as you can about the problem and the different solutions.  Listen to different solutions and ideas and talk to someone who can vote.  Share your feelings and ideas with your parents, neighbors, friends, relatives, and community leaders.  Join forces and work with other people or groups that have the same ideas that you have and tell them all to contact their legislators.  Write and sign a petition or have a rally to show your support for an idea.  As a Kentucky citizen, you may contact your state legislator about a current law, a law that is being considered, or an idea you have for a law.  One of the best ways to share your ideas or concerns is to write your legislators a letter.  Send your letter to: 
 
Senator or Representative _________________
700 Capital Ave.
Frankfort, KY 40601