A New York Bill (S6821) proposed in the State Legislature Wednesday would give Prisoners the Right to Vote, and it's stirring Controversy among State Lawmakers.
State Sen. Kevin Parker (D-21st District, Brooklyn), introduced the Legislation, which intends to “help fight felony disenfranchisement in New York state and facilitate an easier transition back into society,” according to the Bill Memorandum.
The Measure was swiftly met with Backlash Wednesday from Republican State Lawmakers, who say Criminals do Not Deserve a Voice in the Society they have Wronged. The Issue is also a Contentious One even within the Democratic Party. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo did Not Support the Idea earlier this year. “You are in prison for a felony, you're paying your debt to society — I don't think you should have the right to vote and participate as a full citizen,” he said in an April Interview.
The Bill argues that giving Incarcerated People the Right to Vote would help Black and Latinx Communities, which “are the predominant demographic targeted by the archaic law of disenfranchisement. Preventing those with felony convictions from voting is a maneuver to disempower black voters,” the Bill states. “If an incarcerated individual can be counted as a whole person in the census, then why can't their vote be counted in an election?”
The Inmate would be considered a Resident of the County and Town they Lived in Prior to Incarceration, according to the Bill.
Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R-98th District, Orange County), called the Proposal a “ridiculous, illegal and disgraceful idea. These are serious offenders who have besmirched society and caused irrevocable harm to many around them, and New York liberals continue to pad them with handout after handout – a slap in the face to all of us who play by the rules, obey the laws and do the right thing to provide for our families,” he said.
Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-Schoharie, said he would usually Favor a Bill Expanding Voting Rights, but offering Prisoners a Ballot “is an insult to the very tenants of our democracy.”
“Every rapist, terrorist, murderer and pedophile behind bars is going to have their voting restriction lifted? There’s a reason that their rights are restricted – they’ve broken the law," Tague said in a Release. "Giving them voting access like this is as thoughtless as it is foolhardy."
State Senate Spokesman Mike Murphy (D) also chimed in: "Just because a bill is introduced doesn't mean it will pass the Senate."
But allowing Prisoners a say during Election Season isn’t just a Debate limited to New York. The Issue has been Presented a Handful of Times to Democratic Presidential Hopefuls, many of whom have yet to Voice their Opinion on the Topic.
Vermont and Maine give Prisoners the Right to Vote. The Former is the Home State of Presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has long argued that Voting is an inalienable Right.
I think someone in Jail, waiting for a Trial, should be Allowed to Vote.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
