Ky gov signs bill limiting Grimes' power over election board "FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Legislation removing the secretary of state's power over the State Board of Elections was signed into law on Tuesday by Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin — on the same day the board met. Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes did not attend the meeting at the state Capitol. The seat at the center of the table where Grimes customarily sat was empty." "The measure carried an emergency clause allowing it to take effect immediately upon the governor's signature. It removes the secretary of state as chairman and a voting member of the elections board. The secretary of state becomes a nonvoting member. The board's executive director would have voting authority only to break a tie to determine the board's chairman. The law also limits access by the secretary of state's office to a database of registered voters. It makes it a misdemeanor for anyone to misuse the state's voter registration system. The secretary of state and two designees will be given access to the database under the law, but they could not make changes to it without approval from the elections board. The measure came after two employees at the State Board of Elections accused Grimes of wielding excessive power over the board and using her access to the voter database for political purposes. Grimes denies the allegations, saying her office followed the law "at all times." Grimes is under investigation by three state agencies." https://www.sfgate.com/news/amp/Ky-gov-signs-bill-limiting-Grimes-power-over-13700981.php