QUESTION
Why is it challenging to implement a voting access program for detainees on Rikers Island?
4:23:26
·
4 min
The NYC Board of Elections explains the current partnership with the Department of Correction and the challenges in implementing a voting access program for detainees on Rikers Island.
- The city charter mandates the Department of Correction to run the program for voting access for detainees.
- Visiting Rikers Island for professional purposes requires permission from the Department of Correction.
- The Board of Elections emphasizes the need for cooperation and coordination between the Department of Correction and themselves.
- Discussion on modernizing the voting process through online absentee ballot applications and computer access for prisoners on the island.
- Council Member emphasizes the need for leadership from the Board of Elections to address the voting access gap left by the Department of Correction.
Lincoln Restler
4:23:26
And so I guess the question I would ask is, we've had a pretty effective model at nursing homes.
4:23:33
Over an extended period of time that I've always thought are a little subject to political influence, but whatever, that aside.
4:23:43
Why not replicate something along those lines where the BOE takes responsibility to actually make voting access something that is available to detainees on records Island.
Michael J.Ryan
4:23:58
So so I'll tell you from my agency's perspective.
4:24:01
Because the city charter requires the Department of Correction to run this program, we do what we're asked by the Department of Correction.
4:24:13
If something if if they want to change, how they're going to run the program and want to consult with us on what additional efforts we can make in that regard.
4:24:25
We're happy to do it but I have visited Ryker's Island in a professional capacity on enough times to know.
4:24:32
You can't get on the island if they don't let you there.
4:24:35
Right?
4:24:35
So as well it should be.
4:24:36
Right?
4:24:36
And that's the the the gels are there for a reason.
4:24:39
So it has to be it can't be in either or.
4:24:42
It has to be symbiotic between the Department of Correction and the Board of Election.
Lincoln Restler
4:24:48
Absolutely, requires cooperation and coordination with the Department of Correction.
4:24:51
If we're waiting on them, to do this, it will ever ever happen.
Michael J.Ryan
4:24:55
Well, I I honestly and totally, respectfully, I think you're in a much better position to scratch that it's with your colleagues than the board of elections is.
4:25:05
Well And we're happy to continue to compensate.
4:25:07
Look.
Lincoln Restler
4:25:07
We're happy to take a look at the language and the charter and how it be revisited.
4:25:10
But what I'm looking for is leadership from the board of elections on this issue to step up and try to help address a gap that the Department of Correction never will.
4:25:20
And so is if we're waiting for the Department of Correction to provide leadership, to provide you with guidance, to make a you know, to it's not happening, and it's not gonna happen for the foreseeable future.
4:25:34
So we wanna find an alternative path forward that's gonna address, you know, the the fact that thousands of people, and under mayor Adams, it's increased by the number of people on Marcus Island has increased by 30 sent in these 2 years, and it's growing by the day.
4:25:48
You know, we wanna make sure these folks have the right to vote.
Michael J.Ryan
4:25:50
So let's do this.
4:25:53
Let's and and you have, obviously, have my phone on my email.
4:25:57
Pick a day, we'll sit down, have a get together and put our heads together because there may be a way to modernize the process that keeps our staff off of Ryker's Island.
4:26:10
I had sent to to council member Brewer the other day.
4:26:14
We have a a a nice button on our website now that gives people access to not only absentee ballots, but to the new early mail balloting statute that was passed.
4:26:26
And maybe there's a way for us to work with the Department of Correction and the social workers on the island to to give scheduled access, computer access to the prisoners.
4:26:40
For the purposes of applying for an absentee ballot through the portal.
4:26:46
And then we get that, and then it just happens.
4:26:48
Right?
4:26:48
It it I don't wanna say it's by magic.
4:26:50
But the system is set up to work properly.
4:26:53
And and and that might be a way for us to modernize the process, streamline it to some extent, and and put the the prisoners in a better position than they all presently?
Lincoln Restler
4:27:03
Well, I I appreciate that.
4:27:05
Welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss in greater detail I imagine that if we put our heads together, we can find some good solutions to, you know, I would also just encourage that BOE be coordinating with the Department of Correction And the Department of Design And Construction, who are a much more willing partner to make sure that as we're moving forward on the Burrow based jail plan that the needs of the BOE are considered and incorporated.
