Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has restored voting rights to 66,085 felons in her first six months in office—more than 56,000 additional voters compared to former Governor Glenn Youngkin’s entire four-year tenure, according to official annual reports filed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
In a Friday press release, Spanberger stated: “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. These Virginians deserve the right to use their vote, make their voices heard, and be recognized as contributing citizens to our Commonwealth and country.”
Spanberger’s administration eliminated several safeguards implemented during Youngkin’s leadership. Under Youngkin, applicants were required to submit forms detailing whether they had completed all terms of incarceration, were on probation or parole, or had been convicted of a violent offense. Felons also had to confirm they had “paid all fines, fees, and restitution” or were currently paying them, according to court filings.
The new process re-established procedures to review applications and proactively identify eligible ex-convicts using a streamlined online system that removed unnecessary questions added during Youngkin’s administration. Eliminated requirements included reporting probation status and fine repayment.
Governor Spanberger also instructed Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon King to expand “proactive identification” of eligible voters. Current eligibility is determined by whether a person has been convicted of a felony and is no longer incarcerated.
In her statement, Spanberger added: “By giving these Virginians back their ability to make an impact at the local, state, and national levels, we are empowering our neighbors to take hold of their second chance. This fall, voters can cast their ballots for Virginia to no longer strip so many of our neighbors of their fundamental rights—a shameful relic of our Jim Crow past.”
Virginia voters will decide in November whether to pass a constitutional amendment automatically restoring voting rights for released felon inmates.
