Virginia Voters to Decide Automatic Felony Voting Rights Restoration

Virginia voters will decide this November whether to pass a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights to individuals convicted of felonies upon their release from incarceration. The proposed amendment seeks to establish a fundamental right to vote and update prohibitions regarding mental incompetence, ending a system where the governor holds sole discretion over the process.

Abigail Spanberger, the current Governor of Virginia, has already streamlined the restoration process and removed requirements for applicants to disclose unpaid fines and fees. These changes have resulted in the restoration of voting rights for over 100,000 people since January. This shift follows a period of stricter case-by-case evaluations under former Governor Glenn Youngkin, who restored rights to approximately 10,000 people.

The debate over restoration has seen varying approaches from previous administrations. Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam both sought to expand access, though the Supreme Court of Virginia previously ruled against an executive order by McAuliffe that attempted to automate the restoration process.