Senator Zeldin Strengthens Protections for Victims of Sexual Violence

June 16, 2014

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kara Cumoletti (518) 455-3570 cumolett@nysenate.gov

Senator Zeldin Strengthens Protections for Victims of Sexual Violence

Bill to Seal Voting Records Passes the Senate

ALBANY—Senator Lee Zeldin (R, C, I—Shirley) announced today that his bill (S.1685) to strengthen protections for victims of sexual violence, by allowing them to have their voting records kept confidential, passed in the Senate.

Under current law, victims of domestic violence may petition the Supreme Court to have their voter records sealed in order to protect their confidentiality. The court may then issue an order that the victim's information be kept separate from the records which are available for public inspection.

This legislation closes a critical gap in the existing law by extending that same protection to victims of sexual violence, to whom anonymity is not currently provided.

In speaking on the bill, Senator Zeldin said, “The ability to vote is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed to us as Americans. For victims of sexual violence—whose rights have already been infringed upon so heinously—it is crucial that we do what we can to empower them to exercise that right.”

The bill is carried in the Assembly by Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor).

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