Cahill Fighting to Protect Voting Rights

Applauds court decision affirming the rights of Dutchess County College Students to vote on campus; Advocates on behalf of hurricane first responders

November 5, 2012

Albany – Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D – Ulster/Dutchess) has requested the New York State Board of Elections help members of the National Guard and other emergency responders called away from home to assist in hurricane recovery efforts to gain access to absentee ballots in time to vote by today’s deadline.

“These brave individuals are working day and night to help New Yorkers devastated by one of the most dangerous storms to have ever struck the East Coast,” said Assemblyman Cahill. “We should be doing everything in our power to preserve their right to participate in our democratic process.”

The issue first came to the Assemblyman’s office by members of the Air National Guard who were upset when they learned they would not be able to vote in the election. Over 300 servicemen and women, who are expected to be helping in affected areas until the end of the week, were told this weekend they would not be able to take time off to return home to vote. The issue is not limited to the Air National Guard; it is impacting first responders who have called in from all areas of the state.

Assemblyman Cahill asked the State Board to direct counties to email copies of absentee ballots to local boards in the impacted areas. This action will allow displaced individuals the ability to pick up an absentee ballot in-person and return it in time to count for the General Election. Individuals seeking to cast an absentee ballot must obtain one in person at the Board of Elections. Utilizing local Boards of Elections in affected areas as intermediaries would allow the State to put a process in place that complies with the requirements under current law.

Cahill has also been in contact with local utilities, the State Division of Military and Naval Affairs and federal lawmakers to discuss alternative solutions and plans to ensure the first responders can access the local sites and ballots specific to their voting district.

“The invaluable services our first responders are providing in this time of great need should in no way impede their right to vote,” said Assemblyman Cahill. “We have the technology to enable these men and women to cast their ballots in the local, state and federal races that will decide who will represent the interests of their home communities.”

Additionally, Assemblyman Cahill applauded today’s decision in the case brought against the Dutchess County Board of Elections over student voter registration forms.

“I am pleased to see that the court has ruled in favor of the students and shut down the egregious effort of voter disenfranchisement by a Commissioner of the Dutchess County Board of Elections,” said Assemblyman Cahill. “Tomorrow, these students will have the opportunity to participate in one of the most fundamental aspects of our democracy by casting their vote. The ability of students to cast a ballot on the campus where they reside has long been established and upheld by the courts. It is unfortunate that these students once again had to return to the judicial system to reaffirm their rights.”

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