Spanberger Restores Rights for 66,085 Virginians as Virginia Weighs Automatic Reenfranchisement
Updated
Updated · WSET · Jul 31
Spanberger Restores Rights for 66,085 Virginians as Virginia Weighs Automatic Reenfranchisement
3 articles · Updated · WSET · Jul 31
Summary
66,085 formerly incarcerated Virginians have had their voting rights restored since Abigail Spanberger took office in January, with the action also reinstating eligibility for jury service, public office and notary work.
Virginia leaves felony disenfranchisement relief to the governor because its constitution permanently strips those rights, and Spanberger said her administration rebuilt a streamlined review system after Youngkin's team dismantled it.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth is now proactively identifying eligible people and processing applications through an online system that removed questions added under the prior administration.
A November 3 referendum could make voting-rights restoration automatic upon release from incarceration, with early voting set to begin on September 18.