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FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT

In accordance with Part 150 of the rules of the Chief Administrator of the New York State Courts, please be advised that the following judicial vacancies in the first Judicial District will be filled by election in November 2014.

1) Supreme Court – 2 vacancies
2) Civil Court, New York County – 4 vacancies

Pursuant to Part 150 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions (“IJEQC”) have been established in each judicial district in New York State. The IJEQCs are a statewide network of independent screening panels for judicial candidates. Each IJEQC is charged with the responsibility of reviewing the qualifications of candidates, within its respectable judicial district, who submit a questionnaire and are seeking election to the following New York State Courts: Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, Family, New York City Civil, District Court, and City Court. Each commission has 15 members, comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers, named by the Chief Judge, the presiding justices of the appellate division, the New York State Bar Association, and local bar associations.

For more information regarding the evaluation process and the candidate’s questionnaire, please go to http://ww.nycourts.gov/courts/ad1/qualifications.shtml and follow the link to the IJEQC.

Candidates seeking to be evaluated by the IJEQC in the first judicial district must submit an original and 15 copies of the completed questionnaire to Rachell Sirota, Esq., Director, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions, 27 Madison Avenue, Room 3908, New York, NY 10010. All questionnaires for candidates seeking election to the above-referenced judicial offices should be submitted by May 23, 2014. However, if, because of hardship or other sufficient reason, a candidate submits a questionnaire within a sufficient period of time before the election, the Commission will make every effort to accommodate the candidate.

If you have any questions about the IJEQC procedures or requirements, please contact Rachell Sirota, Esq., Director, at the address above, by telephone at 212-340-0572, or by email at rsirota@courts.state.ny.us.

TWELFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

In accordance with Part 150 of the rules of the Chief Administrator of the New York State Courts, please be advised that the following judicial vacancies in the first Judicial District will be filled by election in November 2014.

1) Supreme Court – 1 vacancy
2) Civil Court, Bronx County – 2 vacancies

Pursuant to Part 150 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions (“IJEQC”) have been established in each judicial district in New York State. The IJEQCs are a statewide network of independent screening panels for judicial candidates. Each IJEQC is charged with the responsibility of reviewing the qualifications of candidates, within its respectable judicial district, who submit a questionnaire and are seeking election to the following New York State Courts: Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, Family, New York City Civil, District Court, and City Court. Each commission has 15 members, comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers, named by the Chief Judge, the presiding justices of the appellate division, the New York State Bar Association, and local bar associations.

For more information regarding the evaluation process and the candidate’s questionnaire, please go to http://ww.nycourts.gov/courts/ad1/qualifications.shtml and follow the link to the IJEQC.

Candidates seeking to be evaluated by the IJEQC in the first judicial district must submit an original and 15 copies of the completed questionnaire to Rachell Sirota, Esq., Director, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions, 27 Madison Avenue, Room 3908, New York, NY 10010. All questionnaires for candidates seeking election to the above-referenced judicial offices should be submitted by May 1, 2014. However, if, because of hardship or other sufficient reason, a candidate submits a questionnaire within a sufficient period of time before the election, the Commission will make every effort to accommodate the candidate.

If you have any questions about the IJEQC procedures or requirements, please contact Rachell Sirota, Esq., Director, at the address above, by telephone at 212-340-0572, or by email at rsirota@courts.state.ny.us.

Tags: judicial vacancies, Bronx County, New York County 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of the application process for the third class of the Empire State Fellows. The prestigious program attracts exceptional and diverse talent from New York and around the country to serve in high-level positions in the administration. Since its inception in 2012, the two-year Program has begun preparing a new generation of policy-makers to help lead New York State government.

“New York forged its legacy as the Empire State by opening its doors to talent from around the globe, and providing them an environment in which to flourish,” Governor Cuomo said. ”The Empire State Fellows Program capitalizes on that ideal, raising the profile of public service and giving accomplished innovators and professionals the opportunity to become the public policy leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to another strong class of Fellows.”

To apply to be an Empire State Fellow, candidates must email a cover letter, resume, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation to fellows@exec.ny.gov by Friday, April 4, 2014. For more information on the Empire State Fellows Program and the application process, go to http://www.dos.ny.gov/newnyleaders/fellows_app.html.

Candidates selected as Empire Fellows will be appointed to positions in the Executive Branch that match their skills and experience, and will work closely with senior administration officials to create transformative policy solutions to the complex challenges confronting our state. Empire Fellows will also engage in educational and professional development programming that prepares them to serve as effective and ethical government leaders.

Successful Empire State Fellows may continue serving New York State after completing the Program. Governor Cuomo recently appointed three Empire State Fellows to senior positions in his administration: Jennifer M. Gómez is now the New York State Assistant Secretary for Human Services and Information Technology, Nora K. Yates is now the Deputy Director of The Community, Opportunity, Reinvestment Initiative (CORe), and Kisha Santiago-Martinez is now an Assistant Commissioner at New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

“I am proud to have been part of this prestigious program and to have had the privilege of being appointed to a senior position in Governor Cuomo's administration," said Gómez (inaugural Empire State Fellows class of 2012-2014). "During the fellowship, I gained tremendous insight into policy-making from exceptional and talented leaders. It’s exciting to continue working alongside them to improve the lives of the people of New York State."

"I am honored to be part of the Empire State Fellows Program," stated Richard Lecky, member of the current 2013-2015 class. "The Program truly captures the essence of public service and allows me to use my professional and personal experience to bring a new perspective to state government. I encourage individuals who share this passion to help others to apply and become part of this special program."

The Empire State Fellows Program is part of Governor Cuomo’s New York Leaders initiative that recruits experienced professionals, college graduates and student interns to serve in State government. For more information, see www.newnyleaders.com.

ALBANY—Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced new legislation to restore accountability and ensure access to the ballot box by eliminating baseless and intimidating challenges to voter eligibility at the polls on Election Day. Under current law, voters who are challenged at the polls are required to recite an oath affirming their right to vote. The challenger, on the other hand, has no such obligation. Under the Voter Intimidation Prevention Act, introduced by Assembly Member Karim Camara on behalf of Attorney General Schneiderman, those who mount challenges to voters at the polls will be required to provide the factual basis for their challenge and attest their right to challenge a voter. While these basic accountability requirements are already enshrined in law for challenges made during the time of voter registration, no such protections exist at the polls on Election Day. The Act will correct this imbalance and ensure greater access to the ballot box.

"Access to the ballot box stands as the cornerstone of our democracy,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “As public officials, we should all be working to make it easier for people to vote, not harder. We have an obligation to ensure that all eligible voters are free to cast ballots inside the polls on Election Day, without being subject to harassment, baseless challenges or intimidating tactics. I thank and applaud Assembly Member Kamara for introducing our bill and taking a stand on behalf of voters and our constitutional rights.”

Assemblymember Karim Camara said, "Many before us fought battles both foreign and domestic to guarantee the right to vote for all Americans. This legislation is designed to fight those who try to take that right away. We will not allow voter intimidation in New York and there will be no tolerance for the dirty tricks used to keep people from exercising their right to participate in our electoral process. This law will make those who think they can intimidate, think twice. We’re going to make it harder for them to act anonymously; and we’re going to punish them when they disgrace our democracy by using intimidation at the polls."

During the 2012 and 2013 election cycles, the Attorney General’s Office operated a statewide Election Day Hotline and received numerous complaints regarding voters who were subject to baseless challenges inside the polls. While creating an intimidating atmosphere inside the polling place, baseless challenges also disrupted and interfered with the conduct of the election. Many of those challenged were African-Americans, Latinos and other minority-language speakers.

The Voter Intimidation Prevention Act would require those who challenge the qualifications of voters on Election Day to comply with the same rules and procedures observed by those who challenge the qualifications of registration applicants and registered voters prior to election day. Additionally, it would require any non-Board of Elections mailings used to challenge the qualifications of a voter to be filed with the Board of Elections. Lastly, this Act would clarify and define what type of conduct constitutes voter intimidation.

Unchecked challenges to voter eligibility stand as one of the most significant obstacles faced by voters inside the polls on Election Day. Many of these challenges often are baseless, and few watchers are held accountable for their conduct.

Margaret Fung, Executive Director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, said, "We support measures that will remove barriers to voting faced by Asian American and other language minority voters. The Voter Intimidation Prevention Act can help ensure greater access for all voters on Election Day."

Brenda Wright, Vice President of Legal Strategies at Demos, said, "One of the most serious threats to the protection of the essential right to vote is the increase in organized efforts to challenge voters’ eligibility at the polls and through pre-election challenges. Demos applauds New York State Attorney General Schneiderman for proposing legislation to eliminate intimidating tactics at the polls on Election Day. We hope that other states will follow New York’s lead to strengthen their laws to protect voters."

Rob Richie, Executive Director of FairVote, said, "Strong legislative reforms are necessary to make sure that all voters are provided access to the polls. At a time when other states are focused on restricting access, New York's Voter Intimidation Prevention Act stands apart as an example of legislation aimed at providing greater access. I applaud the Attorney General for supporting pro-voter election reform.”

To report a voting rights or civil rights complaint, contact the Attorney General's Civil Rights Bureau at 212-416-8250 or Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov.