A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to the department of correction informing released persons of their voting rights

Int. No. 1357

By Council Members Lancman, Salamanca, Levine, Richards, Mendez, Gentile, Chin and Constantinides

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to the department of correction informing released persons of their voting rights

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

                     Section 1. Section 1057-a of the New York city charter is amended to add a new subdivision 9, to read as follows:

9. The department of correction shall, in addition to the other requirements of this section for participating agencies, distribute to every person upon release from custody of the department a written notice on the voting rights of formerly incarcerated persons in the state of New York, including information on when such persons are or may become eligible to vote, and offer to every such person a voter registration form. Such written notice shall be developed in consultation with the voter assistance advisory committee.

§ 2. Paragraph 5 of subdivision b of section 1054 of the New York city charter is amended to read as follows:

5. undertake, by itself or in cooperation with other public or private entities, activities intended to encourage and facilitate voter registration and voting by all residents of New York City who are eligible or may become eligible to vote, including eligible voters who are limited in English proficiency and incarcerated or formerly incarcerated persons who are or may become eligible to vote;

§ 3. This local law takes effect 120 days after becoming law.

BJR

LS 4684

10/20/16  7:18PM