NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4009A
SPONSOR: Gibbs TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to providing notice of
voting rights to persons released from local jails
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Provides notice upon release from a local correctional facility of the
right to vote
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Section 510 of the correction law by adding a new
subdivision 2. Section 2 is the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
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JUSTIFICATION:
Many people, including state and local officials, are confused as to
whether a person who has been through the criminal justice system has
lost the right to vote and, if so, when he or she regains voting rights.
Simply put, anyone who is not incarcerated for a felony conviction or on
parole for a felony conviction retains the right to vote. People
arrested have not lost the right to vote. Persons detained in jails
pre-trial have not lost the right to vote and can even vote by absentee
ballot while they are in jail. Persons convicted of misdemeanors never
lose their right to vote whether they are in jail, on probation or have
completed their supervision. In fact, anyone on probation is eligible to
vote. Even felons who have completed their parole supervision are eligi-
ble to vote. It is only persons incarcerated for a felony or on parole
for the conviction of a felony who have lost their right to vote.This
bill would require local correctional facilities to provide notice of
voting rights to persons being released so that such persons will know
whether and when they are eligible to vote, how to register to vote, and
have information about the mechanics and importance of voting.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021: (Rozic) - Third Reading
2019: A5321(Rozic)- Third Reading
2020:45321 A690(Rozic)- Third Reading
2018:A7674 (Rozic) - Third Reading
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect in ninety days.
