Chair cites low jail voting participation and barriers in 2024 primary
Chair Brooks-Powers says participation among eligible people in DOC custody has been extremely low. In the June 2024 primary, 364 people on Rikers Island requested absentee or early mail ballots, but only 155 were delivered and just 72 were returned and counted, illustrating barriers from requesting a ballot to correcting errors and ensuring it is counted.
Although many individuals in Department of Correction custody remain eligible to vote, participation has been extremely low.
During the June 2024 primary election, for example, 364 individuals held on Rikers Island requested absentee or early mail ballots, but only 155 ballots were delivered
and just 72 were returned and counted.
These figures underscore the challenges eligible voters can face at multiple stages of the voting process.
From requesting and receiving a ballot to correct an error and ensuring that a completed ballot is counted.
Individuals in custody may also face additional obstacles accessing election information and responding to time-sensitive questions.
notices, particularly when they are transformed between housing units or released from custody.