Restoring the Right to Vote

At any given time, roughly 35,000 people are out on parole in New York. Nearly three-quarters are Black or Latinx, and most have limited economic resources. Once out of prison, the system demands that they become “productive” and “participating” members of society. Without a clear, certain right to vote, however, that demand is a cynical one: requiring formerly incarcerated persons to rejoin the community and participate fully while denying them the ability to take part in democratic process is simply unfair. It is also unwise, because when people on parole vote, everyone wins.

S.830-B/A.4448-A will fulfill the promise of voting rights restoration following a felony conviction. The NYCLU strongly supports this legislation and calls for its passage.