Two of the Democratic candidates for mayor last night endorsed the idea of allowing people on parole to vote.

Both Comptroller John Liu and former Comptroller Bill Thompson said at a Cardozo Law School forum that providing that privilege earlier would help ex-prisoners integrate more quickly into society.

“If somebody’s on parole, [it’s] possible they’re trying to get back into society, hopefully looking for a job,” Liu said. “If they’re trying to do things everyday people can do, then there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to vote.”

Under state law, ex-cons have to complete their entire sentences — including parole — before their voting rights are restored.

Thompson did express reservations about a City Council bill to extend voting rights to legal immigrants.