Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is warning parents and guardians to keep their kids away from schools, recreational facilities and community centers this Thursday after 6 p.m. due to the fact that sex offenders could be present to vote in the primary election. Gov. Cuomo recently pardoned thousands of convicted criminals, including sex offenders, to allow them to vote in the upcoming primary. It is not required to notify the person in charge of the facilities, which could host after school programs, daycares or other activities or programs involving minors, of a sex offender’s presence. The only requirement is that offenders vote between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and they must let their parole officer know of their intentions to vote.

“Putting our children and communities at risk by allowing convicted criminals to vote is completely inexcusable,” said Hawley. “It seems rather convenient that the governor is doing this for a race that he is a candidate in. Sex offenders are banned from these locations for a reason. They should not, under any circumstances, be allowed back into these locations, many of which typically have children present, especially without any supervision or restrictions. It completely baffles me how completely unsafe this whole process is.

“The governor didn’t think of our communities’ safety, he is just thinking of how to get extra votes,” Hawley continued. “This not only puts our children at risk, it puts all of us at risk, and it is unfair to ask us to change our schedules to avoid a dangerous situation. I am completely against this pardon the governor has given and encourage residents, especially those with children, to stay away from community centers, schools and recreational facilities where voting is taking place this Thursday.”