Tuesday, October 9, 2012

ELECTION TIME FAQs

 
 
 
For all those who maybe confused concerning whether or not it is permissible to vote under certain criminal restrictions, please read this or share with someone who maybe in need of this very important voter information.
 
I have a criminal history. Am I eligible to vote?According to New York State Election Law § 5-106, individuals who are either in jail/ prison for a felony conviction OR are on parole for felony conviction cannot vote. While this means that some persons with criminal convictions are legally prohibited from voting, the majority of individuals with criminal histories can and should vote.

The following list has examples of individuals with criminal histories who are eligible to register and vote:• those convicted of a misdemeanor, not a felony;
• those currently in jail awaiting grand jury action, trial or disposition of a case, but not yet convicted;
• those convicted of a felony who do not receive a sentence of imprisonment;
• those convicted of a felony who did receive a sentence of incarceration, but who are no longer in prison and not on parole.

Can I vote in New York if I'm on probation?Yes. If you are otherwise qualified to vote, anyone who is on probation, even if convicted of a felony, may register and vote in New York.

Do I have to have a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities or other documentation about my criminal history in order to register to
vote?
No. You do not need to provide any documentation about your criminal history in order to register.

What address should I put on the voter registration form if I am in jail?If you are in jail or prison awaiting grand jury action or trial, or confined after conviction for an offense other than a felony, you should register to vote in the county of your permanent address. Put your permanent home address on the registration form, not the address of the facility where you are incarcerated.

How do I vote if I'm in jail?You will vote by absentee ballot. To get an absentee ballot, you must fill out an absentee ballot application form. You can request the application form by writing to your county board of elections or you can download one from the New York State Board of Elections website (http://www.elections.state.ny.us/). See the instructions below for writing to the board of elections; if the information you provide them in the letter is sufficient, they may consider the letter an absentee ballot application. Upon completion, your application must be mailed or delivered to your county board of elections. Once they have received your application, your county board of elections will mail your ballot to you. To vote by absentee ballot in New York State, your ballot must be post-marked on or before Election Day and must be received by the board of elections no later than seven days after Election Day.

How do I register to vote?You need to fill out and submit a Voter Registration form. Contact the League of Women Voters of New York State - 1-866-LWVNYS1, the New York State Board of Elections - 1-800-FOR-VOTE, or  download a voter registration form in New York
State from http://www.elections.state.ny.us/.
 
Thanks to Ms. James
 
 
Figeroux & Associates
26 Court Street, Suite 701
Brooklyn, NY 11242
718-834-0190
 

1 comment:

  1. Good advice for those in that situation wanting to know more about voting.

    ReplyDelete