Members of the Erie County Legislature Minority Caucus introduced a resolution in opposition of Governor Cuomo’s executive order granting voting rights to convicted felons on parole.
Under current state law, parolees can’t vote until they are no longer on parole It’s expected this executive order could put 35,000 criminals back on the voting rolls. Previously, a measure to give parolees voting rights came before the Senate where it was rejected.
Beginning May 1st, Cuomo's order requires the state Department of Corrections to provide his office with a current list of all paroled felons. His office will then review the list and select who will receive a pardon to be granted voting rights, leading to an arbitrary selection process.
“There is a reason the concept of parole exists in New York State,” said Legislator Ed Rath. “Convicted felons may have served their time in prison but they have not yet fulfilled their debt to society. The governor’s move to grant voting rights to these individuals before they have fully completed a sentence is irresponsible.”
“The governor knew he didn’t have the support for this legislation in the state Senate because it’s clearly foolish and politically motivated,” said Legislator Joe Lorigo. “His decision to push forward with an executive order anyway is a subversion of our democratic process.”
The resolution was sent to the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee for further discussion. It can be viewed here.