Regarding Bard students voting IN LOCAL ELECTIONS (caps intended)
Posted by Moderator at 2/4/2008 3:22 PM and is filed under uncategorized 
When a student applies to a University, they fill out a Federal FAFSA form. On this form one must state under penalty of law, his legal residence. This form is updated yearly. Loans and various financial decisions are determined by the veracity of information provided therein.
Some weeks later, the students are encouraged to do their civic duty as American Citizens and register to vote. They must swear to their name and address to register. If they reside in White Plains for example on FAFSA, but Tivoli on voter registration a few months later, well that poses no problem. BUT next year when filling out FAFSA, what address is on that document? If it is White Plains, then the question becomes "Are you lying now or were you lying then?" I think our Assemblyman Molinaro or our Election Commissioner should address this issue NOW, for the future stability and just plain fairness of this unintended consequence of this odd law. I also wonder why no one seems to look at the wording of said law to verify that it is being interpreted properly.
While I am no lawyer, it looks like the law protects the students right to vote, but grants him no special right. This seems to say that he can absentee ballot and that his home town can't refuse to count it...again, I am no lawyer, but some lawyer can make a name for himself by visiting this issue...
Respectfully, HOTSHOT
While I am no lawyer, it looks like the law protects the students right to vote, but grants him no special right. This seems to say that he can absentee ballot and that his home town can't refuse to count it...again, I am no lawyer, but some lawyer can make a name for himself by visiting this issue...
Respectfully, HOTSHOT
Comparing FAFSA and Voting rights is like comparing apples and oranges….
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Eligibility for New York State sponsored scholarships, grants and loans is limited to students who meet the New York State residency requirements as it applies to student loans
Residency Requirements for Voting
The Supreme Court decision of March 21, 1972, declared lengthy requirements for voting in state and local elections unconstitutional and suggested that 30 days was an ample period. Most of the states have changed or eliminated their durational residency requirements to comply with the ruling, as shown. Note, for all states, in order to register to vote, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of the state, and 18 years old on or before election day. Additionally, most states do not permit an individual to vote if he or she is a convicted felon currently serving time in prison or has been declared mentally incompetent by a court of law.
Enough all ready… they have the right, now get over it.
Voice of Reason
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