Ex-Cons Can Vote, ACLU Reminds
Donna Lieberman (left) and Jessica Colton (speaking) defend the voting rights of Maria Perez
Most ex-convicts in New York can vote, but they are not aware of it and neither are many election officials. A coalition of advocacy groups headed by the New York Civil Liberties Union responded Wednesday with a statewide campaign to defend the voting rights of citizens with prior criminal convictions.
“There is a mistaken belief that those with criminal records permanently lose their right to vote,” said NYCLU executive director Donna Lieberman. “Thousands of New Yorkers are either unnecessarily forfeiting or being denied their rights. Either way, it’s a problem for us as a democracy.” (more…)