by the Free Press Staff
Photo by Dylan Gilbert
The upcoming election has led to controversy over student voter registration in Dutchess County. At issue is Republican Commissioner Erik Haight’s decision to require dorm addresses, in addition to mailing addresses, on voter registration forms. Haight’s critics contend that this extra step is unlawful and serves to suppress the student vote in local elections.
The Free Press will be speaking to voices from both sides for our online news portal. We hope to provide a forum of intersubjective voices, thereby allowing each side to speak for themselves.
+ The story of our attempts to contact Erik Haight
In desperation for a quote, I asked whether I could get in the car with him and talk on the way to his appointment. He looked at me as if I was crazy. He was probably right on that account, but that’s beside the point.
+ Background on voter politics through a Latino lens
The Free Press, in partnership with La Voz, a Spanish-test newspaper, is highlighting voter suppression through different lenses. The following was published in Spanish in La Voz magazine, November 2012 issue.
+ Q&A with Daniel Torres, a Marist senior.
When Daniel Torres, a senior at Marist College, turned in his voter registration card, he was told that it was incomplete because he did not include the number of his dorm room. He has brought the case to court— it will be heard in Federal Court on Monday, November 5.
+ Q&A with Hans Kern, a Bard student and a plaintiff in the case.
“I put down Tewksbury and 30 Campus Road as my address, … my mailing address, assuming that that was necessary. It was blocked on those grounds, which sounds kind of dubious to me. I’m happy to have my case stated in the hope that that will bring light to the situation and, hopefully, overturn it in time for elections so that I can submit my vote.” - by Anna Daniszewski
+ Q&A with Fran Knapp, Democratic Commissioner, Dutchess County Board of Elections
+ Q&A with Erin Cannan, Lead in Bard’s voter registration efforts
In this first brief, David Berger, Director of the Rural Hudson Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union, spoke to the Free Press about this issue. - by J.p. Lawrence
Coverage from other media:
