Requires the state board of parole to notify released felons of their right to vote

12 Co-sponsors

• Neil D. Breslin
• Ruben Diaz
• Martin Malavé Dilan
• Thomas K. Duane
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Liz Krueger
• Carl Kruger
• Kevin S. Parker
• John L. Sampson
• Diane J. Savino
• Eric T. Schneiderman
• Antoine M. Thompson

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law and the election law, in relation to notifying persons convicted of a felony of their right to vote after the completion of such person's term of imprisonment, and requiring that voter registration forms be sent to them accordingly

Purpose

To require automatic notification of former inmates that their right to vote is restored when they are released from prison and are discharged from parole and to provide those individuals with voter registration forms.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 adds subdivision 9 to section 837-a of the Executive Law, which requires the division of criminal justice services to notify a person of his or her right to vote within 30 days prior to the release of any person from a correctional facility or any person convicted of a felony whose right to vote shall be reinstated, and to provide such person with an application form for registration and enrollment to vote as required by subdivision fifteen of section 5-210 of the election law.

Section 2 adds subdivision 16 to section 5-210 of the Election Law, which requires the state election board to provide the state board of parole with a sufficient number of voter registration forms as will enable it to send a copy thereof to any person who is required to be notified of his or her right to vote as provided for in subdivision eight of section eight hundred thirty-seven-a of the executive law.

Justification

Many former inmates do not know that their right to vote has been restored once they serve their prison term and are discharged from parole. This bill would require the division of criminal justice services to notify former inmates that their right to vote has been restored within 30 days prior to their release. In addition, it requires voter registration forms to be provided to these individuals. This bill will help former inmates reintegrate more fully into society by empowering them with the right to vote.

Legislative history

2007-2008: S.2114 - Died in Committee 2005-2006: A.14118 2003-2004: A.5128 2001-2002: A.2633 1999-2000: A.11341

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.