Public Advocate Jumaane Williams joined the Legal Aid Society in Lower Manhattan on Thursday afternoon in calling for greater voting access to incarcerated individuals.
The population in New York City jails has severely restricted voting access, according to Rigodis Appling, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society. Though they may have broken the law, many believe that the imprisoned have no less right to cast their vote as citizens — and both Williams and the Legal Aid Society want the incarcerated to have equal access to vote.
Currently, the felony disfranchisement law prevents those with a felony conviction from voting. However, there are those in jail who have not been convicted of a felony and still have the right to exercise their vote, though many may not be aware of it — or lack the resources to participate in an election.
