The Fortune Society’s Voting Guide

The Fortune Society’s Voting Guide

10/09/2024

With less than a month until Election Day, The Fortune Society wants to ensure all participants and others impacted by the criminal legal system are well informed about their voting rights.  

Voting is a civic responsibility and a powerful advocacy tool for system-impacted people and others beyond our direct community. With the implementation of new laws and the availability of resources, voting is now more accessible for people to contribute to the democratic process.  

We created this voting guide to provide resources and key information about the upcoming election, including eligibility requirements, registration information, key dates and more. We hope this guide will answer any questions you may have about your rights in the voting process, and we encourage you to utilize the information provided to go out and participate in this year’s election!  

Voting Eligibility Requirements 

For system-impacted individuals, your first question about this year’s election may be, “Can I vote?” The short answer, for those already released, is yes! 

In 2021, New York State passed Bill S830B, giving people released from prison the right to vote. Previously, this right required a pardon from an executive order. Now, this new update on the law creates new opportunities for people to participate in the voting process. The law extends the right to vote to those who are on parole or probation, meaning those who are convicted of a felony but not currently incarcerated can still vote. 

There are other basic requirements to vote in New York State, including being a citizen of the United States and a state resident, at least 18 years old and not claiming to vote anywhere else. You also can’t be currently incarcerated for a felony or be declared unfit by a judge. Individuals who have completed release stipulations, have a misdemeanor condition, are awaiting trial, or are in supervised release can vote. To further review eligibility requirements, visit the Qualifications to Register page by New York State.  

How can I register to vote? 

If you are released after a felony conviction, you must re-register to vote to have the ability to vote through mail, online or in person. For online registration, visit the NYS Board of Elections online voter registration portal. 

Upon release, you should have been offered a copy of the New York State Voter Registration Form to fill out. You may receive assistance to complete and submit a voter registration form, or you may decline and fill out the form on your own to mail to the board of elections in your county. If you don’t have access to the form, you can find it on the NYS Board of Elections website, at a post office or public library, or request the form by contacting the state or county Board of Elections. 

At The Fortune Society, we believe in the power of educating our participants and informing them of their rights leading up to this year’s election.  

Voter registration forms are always available at the front desk of our Long Island City service center, and our staff is available to assist you and answer any questions.  

On October 16, we will host a voter registration event at our Long Island City service center from 11 AM to 12 PM. Members of the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy (DRCPP) will provide registration assistance and educate individuals about the importance of voting and how to find their ballot and voting place. Tabling will occur throughout the week, helping our community prepare for Election Day. 

Deadlines and Key Information  

The voter registration deadline is October 26, immediately followed by the Early Voting period for the general election until November 3. The general election date is November 5, where you will vote for federal, state, and local offices. The candidates listed on the New York ballot will include the President and Vice President, New York Senators and House Representatives, and local courts.  

We urge you to register to vote as soon as possible and research the candidates who will be listed on the ballot to make an informed decision come Election Day.  

 You can also visit the NYC Board of Elections website to find out if you are already registered, what identification may be needed to vote, and to read more about what will appear on the ballot. Or see the below addresses for each borough’s Board of Elections.  

  • Bronx 1780 Grand Concourse, 5 Fl, Bronx, NY 10457 (718-299-9017)   
  • Brooklyn 345 Adams Street, 4 Fl, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718-797-880)   
  • Queens 118-35 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, NY 11375 (718-730-6730)   
  • Manhattan 200 Varick Street, 10 Fl, New York, NY 10014 (212-886-2100)   
  • Staten Island 1 Edgewater Plaza, 4 Fl, Staten Island, NY 10305 (718-876-0079)  

The Fortune Society is excited to see our community members exercise their right to vote in this year’s election. As you head to your polling place, remember, your vote matters, and you have the power to make key decisions that will impact your direct community.  

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