Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking across New York State are not able to safely vote because their addresses become public information when they register to vote. This can put them in immediate danger of being found by their abuser and deters them from partaking in the voting process. While there is a law in place for survivors to apply for the Voter Confidentiality Program which ensures address confidentiality, there is very little awareness about this program. In order to assure that all the voices of survivors can be heard, we must urge the New York State government to amend S.5444/A.7515 as it currently stands to make it mandatory for all victims services programs and organizations to offer application and support to applicants.

As the law currently stands, it is optional whether or not organizations providing services to victims can provide the application, and most victims services do not offer the program to their clients. This is suppressing the voices of survivors of violence across the state and needs to be amended. We are urging that additional funding be allocated to ensure that all victims services organizations have proper documentation and support to offer this program to all survivors who are legally eligible to vote in the United States. Please join us in bringing this to the attention of the NYS Government, with particular attention to Governor Cuomo.