Bail reform is still a flashpoint in the Hochul–Blakeman race. What the numbers show, and when you can vote

Seven years after Albany rewrote New York's bail law, it remains one of the sharpest dividing lines between Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, heading into the Nov. 3 election.

The 2019 law ended cash bail for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. Gothamist and WNYC, in a Sunday installment of their series on the governor's race, laid out where the candidates stand and what state data show.

What the numbers show

State criminal courts recorded about 1.5 million arraignments between January 2021 and December 2025. Of the people released without bail, 20% were rearrested on a new charge before their original case was resolved, according to Office of Court Administration data cited by Gothamist. People released on non-monetary conditions, such as an ankle monitor, were far more likely to be rearrested than those released on their own recognizance.

Rearrests for serious violence were much rarer. About 2% of those released on their own recognizance or on non-monetary conditions were rearrested on a violent felony while their case was pending, the data show.

New York is also the only state that bars judges from weighing whether a defendant is dangerous to the public when setting release conditions, Gothamist noted. Federal courts and nearly every other state allow it.

Where the candidates stand

Blakeman wants the law repealed. He points to high-profile cases, such as that of a Rochester man who, while out on bail on drug charges, fled police after a deadly robbery in June 2025 and fired at an officer. He was found guilty of murder last month. "We have a revolving door of criminality," Blakeman said at an August campaign stop, according to Gothamist.

Hochul has defended what she calls "common-sense bail laws" while pushing changes. In 2022 she won approval to make more charges bail-eligible, including some gun charges, hate crimes and vehicular assaults. In 2023 she secured more discretion for judges in setting bail.

The New York Civil Liberties Union argues that bail is meant only to make sure people return to court and that the old system punished poor defendants. Gothamist cited a 2023 report from the progressive think tank FWD that found New Yorkers paid about $104 million less in bail in the first years of the law and spent 1.9 million fewer nights in jail. A former suburban Rochester police chief told the outlet that repeat offenders still need closer attention.

Before you vote

• Registration deadline: Saturday, Oct. 24, in person; mailed applications must be received by Oct. 24 (NYC Board of Elections).
• Early voting: Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1. Hours on the first two days are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; hours vary on other days (NYC Board of Elections).
• Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Find your site: early voting and Election Day sites can differ. Look yours up with the Board of Elections' poll site locator.