NYC Council Passes Voting Privacy Protections for Domestic Violence Survivors

The New York City Council on February 27, 2025, took significant steps toward enhancing voting privacy for domestic violence survivors through the passage of Intro 565A. This legislation seeks to ensure that survivors can participate in elections safely, without fear of their addresses being disclosed to their abusers.

Intro 565A builds on a 2021 state law that allowed survivors to register to vote confidentially without undergoing the court process. However, many survivors remain unaware of these protections. The new measure mandates city agencies, particularly those working with survivors through Family Justice Centers, to provide clear guidance on how individuals can keep their voter registration confidential and utilize special ballots (Source: https://youtu.be/zVNZs6jaqSE&t=1248).

Council Member Gail Brewer, the bill’s sponsor, stressed the critical nature of these protections, noting many survivors reside in safe houses. “The worst thing is to have your attacker find your address,” she stated, emphasizing the need to safeguard the locations of survivors from potential harm (Source: https://youtu.be/zVNZs6jaqSE&t=1248). She highlighted the collaboration with various organizations, including Safe Horizon and Common Cause, that supported the legislation.

The council’s discussions also emphasized collaborative efforts to raise awareness about the new voting measures. City agencies will be tasked with actively informing survivors of their rights and available resources, aiming to empower them to vote without compromising their safety (Source: https://youtu.be/zVNZs6jaqSE&t=1248).

With the passage of Intro 565A, the council reinforced its commitment to ensuring that domestic violence survivors can exercise their voting rights securely and with dignity, moving closer to a system that prioritizes their safety and participation in democracy.