What's happening
This bill requires local jails to notify released individuals of their voting rights and provide voter registration materials.
Why it matters
Reduces confusion about voting eligibility. Many people released from local jails mistakenly believe they are permanently disenfranchised. This bill directly addresses that by ensuring individuals are informed about their restored voting rights, helping to combat misinformation and support reintegration.
Supports civic engagement and reintegration. By giving released individuals voter registration forms and information on how and why to vote, the bill encourages participation in civic life, which is linked to stronger community connections and lower recidivism rates.
Targets a gap in existing law. While state prisons may already have such requirements, local jails typically hold people for shorter periods and have less consistent procedures. This bill closes that gap, ensuring all eligible New Yorkers leaving local custody have the same opportunity to regain their voice in elections.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Inform Jail Releases of Voting
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 25
History
- Ordered to third reading cal.202
- Advanced to third reading cal.168
- Reported
- Referred to correction
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Tell Jail Releasees About Voting
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Jamaal Bailey
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5321
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 8, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ROZIC -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to providing notice of voting rights to persons released from local jails
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 510 to read as follows:
§ 510. Notice of voting rights. Upon discharge from a local correctional facility of any person eighteen years of age or over, the chief administrative officer shall notify such person of his or her right to vote and provide such person with a form of application for voter registration together with written information distributed by the board of elections on the importance and the mechanics of voting.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01141-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.