New law restores voting rights for all people released from prison
New Yorkers released from prison will have their voting rights restored upon their release instead of having to wait months or even years under a new law.
Posted: May 6, 2021 11:49 AM
Posted By: The Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New Yorkers released from prison will have their voting rights restored upon their release, instead of having to wait months or even years, under a new law.
State Sen. Leroy Comrie and Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell, the legislation’s sponsors, say Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed it on Wednesday. Both the state Senate and Assembly passed it last month.
OBSERVER file Photo
ALBANY (AP) New Yorkers released from prison would have their voting rights restored upon their release instead of having to wait months or even years under a new law that was signed on Wednesday.
Both the state Senate and Assembly passed it last month, and it was sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who signed it, said state Sen. Leroy Comrie and Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell, the legislation’s sponsors.
“Across our nation we see voting rights being restricted and as New Yorkers, we have to lead as that sends a signal to others on how we should be making the right to vote, more accessible, more transparent, and more available to all,” Comrie said in a statement.
By Taylor Romine and Chandelis Duster, CNN
Updated 8:23 PM ET, Wed May 5, 2021
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo holds a news conference on May, 3, 2021 in New York City. (CNN)New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill expanding felon voting rights on Tuesday, according to the state legislature, allowing for people on parole in the state to be eligible to vote as soon as they leave prison.
The law codifies a 2018 executive order that allowed for Cuomo to individually pardon parolees. According to the bill text, Department of Corrections officials are required to provide a voter registration form as the felon is leaving the facility. Previously, parolees would have to wait a period of four to six weeks to receive a pardon and then must register to vote on their own.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill expanding felon voting rights on Tuesday, according to the state legislature, allowing for people on parole in the state to be eligible to vote as soon as they leave prison.
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