Main Image for Voting Rights
Photo by Sarah Wallock ’19

Voting Rights

A Bard History
Voting Is a Fundamental Right
In 2022, after a fight that had been going on for nearly a quarter century, Bard College secured a fully functional campus polling site for that year’s general election, and hopefully beyond.

Scroll down for court decisions, videos, and more about the history of campus advocacy to gain equal access to the ballot.

The Fight for a Polling Place

Bard College Secures Fully Functioning On-Campus Polling Site
This Dutchess County Board of Election's decision appears to be the final chapter in a fight for student voting rights at Bard that has been taking place since 1999. This victory comes just after the 50th anniversary of the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and outlaws age discrimination in ballot access. These actions at Bard College helped inspire change to New York Election Law, which now mandates that qualifying colleges and universities situate on-campus polling locations across the State of New York. Since 2020, Elections@Bard has partnered with the Andrew Goodman Foundation in this fight.

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act

False Board of Elections ADA Report
ADA Compliance Report D 5 Red Hook Submitted to NY State Supreme Court
Election Polling Place 2020 Full Filing
ADA Guidelines Board of Elections
Press Conference: ADA and Voting Rights (Bard CCE YouTube)
Letter to County Executive Marcus Molinaro
U.S. Government ADA Checklist →

Reclaiming Your Rights, Fighting Disenfranchisement

Voter suppression of college students in Dutchess County was rampant until 1999, when Bard and Vassar students—with the support of both institutions—threatened a lawsuit against the Dutchess County Board of Elections. In response, a committee appointed by the county legislature, consisting of the late Woody Klose, Kristen Jemiolo, and Marcus Molinaro (the current county executive), explored the issue and reaffirmed the right of college students to vote where they live and study, a right already upheld by the Supreme Court in 1979.

The committee recommended that the County Board of Elections “encourage the franchise among students.” After the removal of Republican Election Commissioner William Paroli Sr. on unrelated corruption charges, students were permitted to register to vote. However, in the dozen years since, students have still faced periodic problems, including frivolous challenges at the polls and shifting requirements for providing proof of residence. Bard has consistently advocated for student voting rights and attempted to ensure that students are properly registered. It has also supported litigation to see that student votes are counted.
Photo by Sonita Alizada ’23

History of the Fight for a Polling Site on Bard’s Campus

Response to Election Commissioner's Defense (September 25, 2020)
Response from Commissioner Haight (September 21, 2020)
Jonathan Becker, Colleges Should Promote and Defend Student Voting (August 12, 2016) (Huffpost)
Jonathan Becker, Director CCE, A Response to Commissioner Haight (June 9, 2016) (Poughkeepsie Journal)
Jonathan Becker, Director CCE, Election Commissioner Haight’s Decision Breeds Cynicism (May 21, 2016) (Poughkeepsie Journal)
Election@Bard Cohead Eva-Marie Quinones ’17 on the Fight for an On-Campus Polling Site (May 13, 2016) (BuzzFeed)

2012: Class Action Lawsuit, Students vs. Dutchess County BOE

During the 2012 election season, voter registration forms were rejected from Bard, Culinary Institute of America, Marist and Vassar students. With the help of the NYCLU, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the Dutchess County Board of Elections. The affected students successfully challenged a decision by Dutchess County Republican Elections Commissioner Erik Haight to reject their applications because they didn’t list their dormitory name.

November 3, 2009: Student Intimidation

In 2009, voter intimidation and a poorly written legal decision by Judge Brands in Poughkeepsie led to students being needlessly challenged at the ballot box. Many of those challenged students were required to vote via affidavit ballot, even if living at the exact same address where they were registered. This was an effective tool, as affidavit ballots are frequently disqualified over technicalities during the counting process.

1999–2000: Students Denied Right to Vote Locally

In 1999, Bard and Vassar students joined together to challenge Republican Election Commissioner William Paroli Sr.’s illegal impediments to student voter registration. In 2000, a bipartisan county legislative committee looked into the matter and concluded unanimously that not only do students have the right to vote locally, but “The Dutchess County Board of Elections should encourage the use of voting franchise among students.” Even so, it took Paroli’s conviction on an unrelated felony to produce change and allow students the right to vote where they live, work and study.

The Fight for a Polling Site on Bard’s Campus

A Timeline of Appeals, Rulings, and Media Coverage