Brooklyn Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) on Friday hosted the “Pardon My Vote” panel discussion in her district focusing on voting rights of formerly incarcerated and currently paroled New Yorkers.
“‘Pardon My Vote’ is an educational initiative I launched to help educate about how formerly-incarcerated and currently paroled New York State residents have the right to vote through a conditional voting pardon that was issued in an Executive Order by Gov. Cuomo in 2018,” Clarke told the discussion at the Founders Auditorium, Medgar Evers College.
“At the end of the day, formerly incarcerated individuals who have paid their debts to society should have citizenship rights, including the right to vote,” she said.
The panel discussion was moderated by Monroe College Prof. Dr. Jasmine Young and featured celebrity guests, actress Naturi Naughton of the STARZ Original “Power” and rapper Casanova of RocNation.
Other panelists included Jarret Berg of Vote Early NY; Chuck Creekmur of AllHi
Some topics of the panel discussion included: criminal justice reform, the power of each person’s vote, and the steps for formerly-incarcerated and paroled New York residents to register to vote.
“As Americans, we must push for criminal justice reform, which is why this ‘Pardon My Vote’ event is so important, because I believe in the power of redemption,” Clarke said.
The event was in collaboration with NYS senators Kevin Parker and Zellnor Myrie; Assemblywomen Latrice Walker and Diana Richardson; Assemblyman Walter Mosley; Councilwomen Alicka Ampry-Samuel and Laurie Cumbo; Councilman Mathieu Eugene; and Dr. Young.
