Relates to authorizing voting by incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities; requires the department of corrections and community supervision, in collaboration with the state and county boards of election, to establish a program to facilitate incarcerated individuals voter registration and voting.
Summary
Bill A04973 aims to amend the election law and correction law in New York to authorize voting by incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities. It establishes that incarcerated individuals will be considered residents of the locality they resided in prior to incarceration, thus allowing them to vote while incarcerated. The bill also prohibits the cancellation of a voter’s registration due to incarceration and mandates the creation of a program to facilitate voter registration and voting for incarcerated individuals, including access to absentee ballots.
Impact
If enacted, this bill would significantly alter the voting rights landscape in New York by allowing individuals incarcerated for felony convictions to participate in elections. This change would require updates to the state's election administration processes and could lead to an increase in voter registration among incarcerated populations. Additionally, it would necessitate collaboration between the Department of Corrections and local election boards to ensure that incarcerated individuals are informed of their voting rights and have the means to vote.
Sentiment
The general sentiment surrounding Bill A04973 appears to be supportive among its sponsors and advocates for criminal justice reform, who argue that voting is a fundamental right that should not be stripped away due to incarceration. However, there may be opposition from those who believe that individuals who have committed felonies should not have the right to vote, reflecting a broader national debate on voting rights for felons.
Contention
Notable points of contention include the debate over whether individuals who have been convicted of felonies should retain their voting rights while incarcerated. Proponents argue that voting is a civil right that should be preserved, while opponents may contend that allowing felons to vote undermines the integrity of the electoral process. This division often falls along partisan lines, with more progressive groups supporting the bill and conservative factions opposing it.
Same As
Relates to authorizing voting by incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities; requires the department of corrections and community supervision, in collaboration with the state and county boards of election, to establish a program to facilitate incarcerated individuals voter registration and voting.
Payment rates established for certain substance use disorder treatment services, and vendor eligibility recodified for payments from the behavioral health fund.
Cover Outstanding Vulnerable Expansion-eligible Residents Now Act or the COVER Now Act This bill establishes a demonstration program to allow local governments to provide health benefits to the Medicaid expansion population in states that have not expanded Medicaid. Under the program, local governments may provide coverage for individuals who are newly eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (i.e., the Medicaid expansion population) for a maximum of 10 years, or until their respective states expand Medicaid. The bill provides a 100% federal matching rate for the first three years of program participation. The bill prohibits states from taking certain actions against participating localities, such as withholding funding, increasing taxes, or restricting provider participation. States that violate these requirements are subject to certain funding penalties.