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Governor Abigail Spanberger Restores Voting Rights to Over 66,000 Virginians with Past Felony Convictions

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced on Friday that her administration has restored the voting rights of more than 66,000 Virginians who have served their felony sentences. This move reverses the restrictive approach of her predecessor, Glenn Youngkin, who reviewed applications on an individual basis and restored fewer than 10,000 people during his tenure. Spanberger’s administration has rebooted the restoration process to proactively identify and review applicants, removing requirements such as the need to prove all fines and fees are paid. The governor described the current disenfranchisement system as a "shameful relic of our Jim Crow past." In the upcoming November election, Virginians will vote on a constitutional amendment to make the restoration of voting rights automatic upon release from incarceration. If passed, the amendment would remove the governor's sole discretion over the process. Spanberger encouraged citizens to support the amendment to ensure that voting rights are protected and enshrined in the state constitution.

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