“If New York won’t call them felons, Washington won’t either.”

On Day One as Governor of New York, I will sign an Executive Order that draws a clear and necessary line in our criminal justice system: one that distinguishes violent crime from non-violent mistakes.

Under this directive, only individuals convicted of violent crimes—those involving force, weaponry, sexual violence, or coercion—will retain the legal label of “felon.” All others will be reclassified as “non-violent offenders” and given a legal pathway to fully restore their rights.

🔧 Legal & Structural Reforms

• New Legal Definition: “Felon” status will apply strictly to violent crime.
• Creation of Non-Violent Offender Status: Distinct classification, separate from felons.
• Civil Rights Restoration: Upon sentence completion, the following rights will be reinstated:
  • ✔️ Voting
  • ✔️ Gun Ownership (with certification)
  • ✔️ Jury Service
  • ✔️ Professional Licensing
• Second Chance Credential: A state-issued certificate verifying full restoration of rights, usable for job applications, housing, and federal filings.

⚖️ Federal Compatibility

Federal law (18 U.S. Code § 922(g)(1)) allows firearm rights to be restored if civil rights have been reinstated. Our program meets that threshold with:

• ✔️ Clear legal reclassification
• ✔️ Official state-level restoration process
• ✔️ Public certification system

📊 Why This Matters

• 📈 Over 360,000 New Yorkers carry felony convictions
• 🔓 Nearly 70% are for non-violent offenses like drug possession, larceny, or probation violations
• 🚫 These individuals face 300+ legal restrictions that limit jobs, housing, and dignity
• 📉 States that restore rights see up to 37% lower recidivism

🔐 Public Safety Isn’t Compromised — It’s Strengthened

• 🛑 Gun crimes are overwhelmingly committed by repeat violent offenders, not those exiting prison for non-violent charges
• 🔁 Rehabilitation and reintegration reduce parole violations and rearrest rates
• 🏛️ We’re going harder on violent crime and fentanyl trafficking — with mandatory minimums and zero leniency

🧱 I Welcome the Legal Fight

Let Albany try. Let activist judges rant. Let lawsuits stack. I will not retreat from this fight—because this is about **freedom, redemption, and dignity**. It’s about reminding people that the American dream doesn’t end with a mistake—it begins again with a second chance.

🗽 This Is How We Build a BETTR New York

A state where justice doesn’t mean exile. Where non-violent ex-offenders are no longer punished for life. Where your worst moment isn’t your forever label. Where we defend the innocent, punish the violent, and believe in redemption.

“I made one mistake when I was 19. I served 2 years. Now I can’t vote, can’t get licensed, can’t get a job. I’ve got three kids watching a system that says I’m not worth forgiving.”