NYC Council Proposes Bill to Facilitate Voting for Rikers Island Inmates Amid Concerns from Jail Officials
The New York City Council is considering a bill aimed at making it easier for inmates at Rikers Island to vote. The bill, introduced by Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, seeks to mandate the Department of Corrections (DOC) to assist inmates with 'ballot curing,' a process to correct errors on absentee ballots. The DOC, however, has expressed concerns, stating that the responsibility for ballot curing lies with the Board of Elections (BOE), not the jail officials. The bill would require the DOC and BOE to establish procedures and timelines for delivering ballot cure notices in jails, assist voters in correcting or replacing defective absentee ballots, and publish annual data on curing outcomes. Despite the eligibility of approximately 83% of Rikers inmates to vote, less than 10% have participated in recent elections. The proposal has garnered support from 11 co-sponsors and the public advocate, although the latter does not vote. 
