Cuomo Issues First Group of Conditional Pardons Restoring the Right to Vote to New Yorkers on Parole

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that he has issued the first set of conditional pardons restoring the right to vote to 24,086 people under community supervision in New York State. Building on the Governor's sweeping criminal justice reforms, this group of pardons follows the Executive Order signed on April 18 to improve civic engagement and reduce recidivism. New York State Election law provides that a Governor's pardon restores the right to vote to individuals who lose this right due to being on parole for a felony that resulted in their incarceration.

"The right to vote is fundamental and it is unconscionable to deny that basic right of citizenship to New Yorkers who have paid their debt to society," Governor Cuomo said. "Restoring a voice to men and women reentering their communities will strengthen our democracy, as well as the reentry process, which in-turn will help reduce recidivism."

The Governor's action to grant these conditional pardons reverses individual restrictions that have had a disproportionate impact on New Yorkers of color. African Americans and Hispanic New Yorkers comprise 71 percent of the population disenfranchised due to their parole status.

Click here for the full announcement. 

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo