Thousands who have completed a felony sentence mistakenly believe that they have permanently lost their right to vote in New York State where the right to vote is restored once someone is released from prison or completes parole. Those sentenced to probation for a felony offense never lose the right to vote.
Thus, the New York Civil Liberties Union kicked off a six-week statewide campaign early today to help New Yorkers with criminal records reclaim their voting rights in time for November’s election.
Studies by the Brennan Center for Justice have shown that many workers in New York county election boards are unaware of state election laws governing the rights of the formerly incarcerated.
The NYCLU is unveiling bus and train advertisements, radio PSAs, a voting rights toolkit, a comprehensive web site, and web videos created to educate the public on the voting rights of the formerly incarcerated. Two of the videos follow Maria Perez, a Brooklyn woman who completed parole in 2000, as she attempts to reclaim her voting rights.
More stories to come.