Bolts:
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger on Friday announced she is restoring the voting rights of about 66,000 people with past felony convictions, reversing the course set by her predecessor, Glenn Youngkin.
This is the only state in the country that… Continue reading
The post “Virginia Governor Restores Voting Rights for Thousands With Past Felony Convictions” appeared first on Election Law Blog.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger on Friday announced she is restoring the voting rights of about 66,000 people with past felony convictions, reversing the course set by her predecessor, Glenn Youngkin.
This is the only state in the country that bans anyone convicted of any felony from voting for life, barring a governor’s decision to restore someone’s rights. Starting in 2013, Virginia governors used their executive powers to automatically restore the voting rights of hundreds of thousands of people, but Youngkin, a Republican who exited office in January, brought that march to an abrupt halt and dramatically limited restorations, to the chagrin of many thousands of would-be voters.
“I’m proud that—after contending with my predecessor’s efforts to deny Virginians their fundamental rights—we have restored the rights of more than 66,000 Virginians who have served their time,” Spanberger, a Democrat, said in a statement on Friday. “These Virginians deserve the right to use their vote, make their voices heard, and be recognized as contributing citizens to our commonwealth and country.”…