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Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has restored voting rights to approximately 66,000 formerly incarcerated Virginians, marking one of the largest single restorations of civil rights in the Commonwealth's history.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the action restores the right to vote for individuals who have completed their incarceration, allowing thousands more Virginians to participate in future elections.
Virginia is one of the few states where individuals convicted of felonies do not automatically regain their voting rights after completing their sentences. Instead, the governor has the authority to restore those rights through executive action.
Spanberger's decision affects an estimated 66,000 people who had previously lost their voting rights due to felony convictions.
Supporters of the move say restoring voting rights helps individuals fully rejoin society after serving their time and encourages civic participation. Critics argue that voting rights should only be restored after all terms of a sentence—including probation and restitution—have been completed, or that the process should remain more restrictive.
The announcement continues a trend established by several recent Virginia governors who have used their executive authority to restore voting rights to large numbers of formerly incarcerated residents.
The restored rights apply to voting. Individuals seeking to vote must still register if they are not already registered before participating in upcoming elections.
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