NYCLU Statement on Mayor de Blasio’s Poll Watching Program

NEW YORK CITY – Today Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Morning Joe the creation of the NYC Election Observer Corps, a poll watching program comprised of volunteers and city employees assigned to monitor and report for instances of voter intimidation or election misconduct. In response, the New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement from senior staff attorney Perry Grossman:

“Less than 24 hours before New Yorkers head to the polls, this program raises more questions than it answers – how participants are being trained, what information or assistance they’re providing to voters, how they’re coordinating with the Board of Elections and Election Protection, and how the mayor will expect these volunteers to monitor police activity at poll sites.  Voter assistance can be an important public function, but it needs strong training, rules, and coordination.  We need to know a lot more about what the Mayor’s proposing.”

You can find additional information from the NYCLU on the upcoming election here: https://www.nyclu.org/en/news/four-things-know-election-season-ny