Senator Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District) joined with Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay to introduce a constitutional amendment (S.9484) to establish public recall elections for District Attorneys who refuse to enforce the law and champion soft-on-crime policies that are exacerbating a rise in violent crime throughout New York State.
“Our residents must have faith that those they elect to ensure their safety are committed to doing their jobs. And, if that trust is betrayed, they must have the ability to take action and make changes. This legislation will give our residents the power they deserve to control their state and their community and I am proud to join with Leader Ortt and Leader Barclay in making sure our residents have the voice they are entitled to,” stated Senator Mattera.
Recently, San Francisco voters voted to recall soft-on-crime District Attorney Chesa Boudin after drastic increases in crime throughout the city. Progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has followed a similar soft-on-crime policy, despite the increase in violent crime throughout New York City.
New York State does not currently have recall elections, but the Governor has the authority to remove District Attorneys who fail to do their jobs and enforce the law. Earlier this year, Legislative Republicans urged Governor Kathy Hochul to remove Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for instituting a policy urging prosecutors to avoid seeking jail time for all but the most serious crimes.
Under the proposed amendment, a recall could be initiated by a petition delivered to the State Board of Elections which alleges the reason for recall which is signed by voters within the county equal to twenty percent of the last vote for the District Attorney. An election to determine whether to recall the District Attorney would be held between 60 and 80 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures by the State Board of Elections.
“Any district attorney who fails to make crime victims their number one priority has no business serving the public. Their job is to enforce the law and prosecute those who break it. This disturbing trend of progressive, soft-on-crime District Attorneys – including Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg here in New York – refusing to prosecute crime has got to stop. If Governor Hochul won’t do the right thing, and remove him from office, New Yorkers should have the power to do so on their own,” said Senate Republican Leader Ortt.
Please click on the following link for more information: https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/mario-r-mattera/senator-mattera-joins-senator-republican-conference-push.
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