FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s Safe at Home Program has seen a 460% increase in participation in the first year since the General Assembly expanded the program, according to Secretary of State Michael Adams, R-Ky.

The program allows participants to have their addresses masked on all state and local public records, including voter rolls. The program removed the requirement of a protective order and expanded interstate reciprocity, allowing more Kentuckians to participate.

Senate Bill 79, sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, expanded the program at the secretary of state’s request, according to a news release.

“I am grateful to our state legislators for coming together across party lines to join us in protecting our most vulnerable Kentuckians,” Adams said. “Our office is working to end the scourge of domestic violence.”

Adams announced the participation increase while touring the Center for Women and Families, which serves more than 5,000 domestic abuse and rape survivors each year.

“With the Safe at Home Program, survivors can now receive their mail and safely exercise their right to vote by having their addresses hidden on publicly available voter records,” said Elizabeth Martin, president and CEO of the Center for Women and Families.

The secretary of state’s office said it has worked with domestic violence shelters and other advocates across the state to expand awareness and to train Safe at Home application assistants.

Anyone applying for the program or requesting application assistant training can do so on the secretary of state’s website.