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Hawley says Cuomo mandate is 'outlandish' -- gov't employees must help ex-felons register to vote on state time

By Billie Owens

Photo: A garbage bin outside a parole office filled with discarded voter registration forms that were given to parolees by parole officers.

Submitted photo and information from Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

According to information obtained by Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia), a memo has been issued directing all department parole officers to begin presenting newly pardoned felons with voter registration forms, help them complete the process of registering to vote, and help them locate the local Board of Elections during the course of their taxpayer-funded duties.

It is from Acting Commissioner Anthony Annucci of New York State Corrections and Community Supervision, a department under Gov. Cuomo.

The three-page memo, dated May 22, was circulated to all bureau chiefs, all chiefs of the Parole Violation Unit, all senior parole officers, and all parole revocation specialists. CC'd on the memo were executive, associate and assistant commissioners, the director of Internal Operations, regional directors, assistant regional directors, the director of Executive Clemency and the deputy chief of the Parole Violation Unit.

Executive Order 181 "Restoring the Right to Vote for Parolees" states in part “…the Parole Officer must also provide the recipient (of the pardon certificate) with the NYS Voter Registration Form and the NYS Voting Rights form…The Parole Officer must be prepared to assist the parolee with filling out the registration form and the Parole Officer is responsible for providing information regarding the location of the local Board of Elections.”

It says this "requires high priority attention..." and at the bottom of the memo is this: "PLEASE NOTE: This is a priority initiative and needs to be completed as soon as possible."

“This is the most outlandish abuse of power and taxpayer-funded resources I’ve witnessed in my time as a legislator,” Hawley said. “Gov. Cuomo is using state employees as campaign workers to register recently paroled felons to vote. Absolutely outrageous.”

The memo dictates detailed instructions for corrections employees on how to execute pardons and help parolees register to vote and does not specify that this be done outside the purview of their official, taxpayer-funded duties.

“This governor continues to use our money as his money and there seems to be no bound to how autocratic his tenure has become,” Hawley continued. “It’s very possible that there is added pressure on Parole Officers to hit some sort of ‘quota’ on registrations ahead of the governor’s upcoming gubernatorial primary.”

Tim Miller

All kidding aside... what is wrong inside Hawley's head that he would be AGAINST helping people who've qualified to vote register to vote?!? Is he afraid that these newly qualified voters won't vote for him?

This reeks of the standard GOP voter suppression policies...

In regards to the picture of the voter registration forms in the garbage can:
- First, if the picture wasn't staged and the newly eligible citizens threw out the forms...well, they are idiots for not taking advantage of the right to vote.
- Second, that picture looks very, VERY staged. The only "garbage" showing happens to be the forms, and they are conveniently slightly crumpled but not crumpled enough to not recognize what they are and, are conveniently *barely* in the trash can... just enough so that we can see they are voter registration forms.

Hawley needs to teach the intern he told to stage the photo to be more creative next time he wants "fake news" generated.

Jun 14, 2018, 4:05pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

Many polling places in New York are schools, elementary or otherwise. It's obvious what's going through the Governor's head. Progressive left-wing pandering. He sees votes. He trying to get to the left of Cynthia Nixon, and he is succeeding admirably; he is certain this pandering will enhance his resume for a Presidential run. Convicted Felons have always been afforded the opportunity of these forms before they are released, and few take advantage. It shows were Cuomo's priorities lie. Corrections Officers and Parole Officers are stretched thin. There is mandatory overtime and people forced to work double shifts. Part of their job is chasing down violent felons on Parole who have violated, and are committing crimes as I write this. This is just what we need; encouraging paedophiles, rapists and drug dealers and violent gang members congregating at our polling booths.

Jun 14, 2018, 5:59pm Permalink
John Roach

Inmates being released already could get the right back by asking for what is called a Certificate of Relief. But the inmate had to ask for it and then had to register on his own when he/she went home. What the Governor did was make the right automatic when released and now does not even require the inmate to register on his/her own.

Jun 14, 2018, 9:37pm Permalink
Tim Miller

John... EXACTLY!!! And there's not a darn thing wrong about helping somebody vote.

Only those who are afraid of others (or "the others") voting would be against any effort to help people vote.

Jun 15, 2018, 12:40pm Permalink
Jeffery White

"This is just what we need; encouraging paedophiles, rapists and drug dealers and violent gang members congregating at our polling booths."

If you wanted to see somebody who bases their perception of the world on 'fear' there's a good one liner.

Jun 15, 2018, 10:42am Permalink
Rich Richmond

It’s a myth that Ostriches bury their head in a hole in the sand, or a hole in the ground to hide from danger.

This myth began with Pliny the Elder (AD 23-79), “Ostriches imagine when they have thrust their head and neck into a bush, that the whole of their body is concealed.”

It is metaphor explaining how people ignore or refuse to acknowledge the dangers and reality of life and the world around them.

The metaphor is as true now as it was in Ancient times; some people are living their lives by sticking their heads in a bush or a hole in the ground.

Jun 15, 2018, 1:58pm Permalink
Jeffery White

It's a cute analogy, but I'm not the one afraid to stand next to a convicted criminal in public.

If you really want to talk about sticking your head in the sand, we can talk all about the incarceration rate here in the US. If they're in jail it's not a problem we have to deal with right?

Jun 15, 2018, 3:11pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

So say’s a braggart, “but I'm not the one afraid to stand next to a convicted criminal in public.”

Wow, I guess you told me! You know how to talk smack. You’re a regular cell gangster.

I’m in awe with your manliness. I impressed with your testosterone laded words and your virile prowess! You’re one dangerous stud and a man among men.

You have no problem with a young mother with toddlers exposed to their ilk, or elderly grandmothers, having to wait in line next to convicted felons, pedophiles, rapists or the like. I say again; I'm impressed with your bravado.

Jun 15, 2018, 6:37pm Permalink
John Roach

Tim, my objection is that since they already had the ability to ask to get the right to vote back, they should be made to do it themselves. And they can get that help prior to their release from prison. It should not be automatic

Jun 15, 2018, 8:45pm Permalink
Jeffery White

Rich you show your 'gender normative' colors pretty well.

It's not manliness, it's being a human being and treating other human beings like human beings.

If you wanted something different, maybe living in the US isn't for you.

Jun 16, 2018, 10:38am Permalink
Tim Miller

John - I recognized that... you were pretty clear in your original comment.

I was simply stating that additional assistance was a good thing... that, and questioning why somebody (not necessarily you) might be against anybody getting any assistance in voting.

Jun 16, 2018, 10:42am Permalink
Rich Richmond

Jeffery White- the human being,

Since you brought up the subject of gender and are assigning gender titles, are you offended that I referred to you as a man? What gender human being title do you prefer?

As a human being, please help us tell us what LGBT human being gender color describes you best? Are you a Cisgender, Transgender or Transsexual?

So as not to offend you as a human being, are you a Heterosexual, Lesbian, Bisexual, Pansexual, Bicurious, Polysexual, Monosexual, Allosexual, Androsexual, Gynosexual, Asexual, Demisexual, Perioriented, Varioriented, Heteronormative, Erasure, Cishet, or a Monoamorous, human being?

You said, “It's not manliness, it's being a human being and treating other human beings like human beings.”

We know you are a fearless human being and are not afraid of standing next to a criminal human being in public. You want all human beings to be treated the same.

You have no problem with convicted pedophile human beings, and convicted violent repeat offender gang member human beings, or rapist human beings standing next other human beings; such as young mothers with innocent toddlers, or elderly grandmothers.

In your elitist human being world, anyone who disagrees with you should move to another Country. That is not a nice human being thing to say, or a human being way of thinking if you want everyone to be treated the same.

Jun 17, 2018, 10:24am Permalink

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