Q&A
Discrepancy in absentee ballot applications and ballots sent to Rikers Island
2:08:25
·
103 sec
Council Member Restler inquires about a discrepancy between the number of absentee ballot applications submitted by individuals detained at Rikers Island and the number of ballots actually sent by the Board of Elections. Michael Ryan, unable to provide specific details on the spot, commits to providing a breakdown of the information offline.
- 1,422 individuals at Rikers completed registration forms or absentee ballot applications
- Only 977 absentee ballots were sent to the Department of Correction
- Ryan suggests possible reasons for the discrepancy, such as invalid applications or requests from unregistered voters
Lincoln Restler
2:08:25
The Rikers voting.
2:08:28
According to the Department of Correction voting at Rikers Island, I should say.
2:08:32
According to the Department of Correction, 1,422 individuals, detained, completed registration forms, or absentee ballot applications, but the BOE only sent 977 absentee ballots to the DOC.
2:08:51
Can you help us understand the discrepancy in that data?
2:08:53
Essentially, what I think we're seeing is that about a third of the people who are submitting registration and absentee ballot applications are not getting absentee ballots back.
2:09:04
I assume because there's some error in what they're submitting.
Michael Ryan
2:09:07
So so I could guess, but I can get you offline.
2:09:11
I can get you specific answers to those questions.
2:09:14
And I can tell you, that, we have that information.
2:09:18
I just don't have it Okay.
Lincoln Restler
2:09:19
At my fingertips or off the top of my head.
2:09:21
We would love a breakdown of that.
2:09:23
And when you provide
Michael Ryan
2:09:24
it But I can guarantee you that every absentee ballot application that we receive is processed.
2:09:29
Now they might not all be valid.
Lincoln Restler
2:09:32
But what my concern is is that only 977 absentee ballots went to DOC when 1422 people requested them.
2:09:39
So a third of the folks didn't get those requested apps who presumably wanted absentee ballots didn't get them.
2:09:45
And I'd just like to understand why that is.
2:09:47
And then similarly
Michael Ryan
2:09:49
We do sometimes get absentee ballot requests from people who are not registered to vote.
2:09:53
That happens too.
2:09:54
Right?
2:09:54
So there were no arguments.
2:09:55
I'm I'm not
Lincoln Restler
2:09:56
saying you did the wrong thing necessarily.
Michael Ryan
2:09:57
I'm not saying There are no guarantees.
2:09:58
Statistical reasons why that could be Yeah.
2:10:01
That could occur and be proper.
2:10:03
It's not necessarily improper, but we definitely have, the information.
