Sharing Voter Registration Information With I.C.E.
In a joint press release from Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, County Clerk Frank Merola, and Republican County Board of Elections Commissioner Jason Schofield, it was announced on Thursday, July 18, that the County Board of Elections will begin to share with United States Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (I.C.E.). They will share the names and addresses of people that have registered to vote in Rensselaer County through the Motor Vehicle program. Democratic Board of Elections Commissioner Ed McDonough says, no we won’t.
In fact, he tells The Eastwick Press, he has directed Board of Elections personnel not to share any voter registration information with I.C.E. The Board of Elections is governed by two commissioners, one from each major political party and neither has the authority to overrule the other. Thus, the question of whether voter registration information will end up in the hands of federal officials appears to be at a stalemate. Commissioner McDonough added that, to date, he is unaware of any request by I.C.E for any voter information.
In the release, County Executive McLaughlin stated “The sharing of this information with I.C.E. is a common sense initiative to combat the recent efforts by out of control liberals to circumvent federal law on immigration. Rensselaer County will lead by example and work hand and hand with the brave men and women of I.C.E. ensuring they have all the tools and resources at their disposal to protect the integrity of our voting process. I have stated on numerous occasions that many of these liberal proposals are not meant to be good public policy but a thinly veiled attempt to pad the voter rolls of Democrats. We are a land of immigrants but not a land of illegal immigration and we must be ever vigilant in protecting our voting process.
The Rensselaer County Legislature administers the County Board of Elections and its Chairman Mike Stammel said that, “we are pleased that we will be working with I.C.E. to provide this information. We are serious about following federal immigration laws in Rensselaer County and are happy to be of any assistance that we can provide federal authorities.”
Not All Are In Favor
Rensselaer County Legislative Minority Leader Peter Grimm says not so fast. In a conversation with The Eastwick Press, Mr. Grimm says neither he nor any members of the Minority Caucus knew anything of this until the press release came out. He points out his caucus does not support the measure, and he personally is uncomfortable with county officials funneling information to federal authorities (I.C.E) to vet. He also suggested that Motor Vehicle only be able to offer voter registration, after an individual has provided the proper proof of citizenship.