Governor Abigail Spanberger just dropped a Saturday bombshell, announcing that her office has given back voting privileges and other civil liberties to 66,085 Virginians with prior felony convictions. As Trending Politics reported, all of those restorations happened since she was sworn in this past January. That is quite the pace, folks. Someone in Richmond has been working overtime on paperwork.
Now here is where it gets interesting. Virginia is apparently one of only three states whose constitution permanently yanks away voting privileges from anyone convicted of a felony. The only way to get those rights returned? You have to hope the governor is feeling generous. It is basically a monarchy with extra steps.
The restored civil liberties go beyond just casting a ballot. We are also talking about jury service, running for elected office, and, wait for it, becoming a notary public. Yes, finally, 66,000 people can once again stamp documents with authority. Democracy is beautiful.
Before Spanberger came along, her Republican predecessor Glenn Youngkin had switched things up by implementing an individual case review system. Under his watch, fewer than 10,000 restorations took place during his entire tenure. So Spanberger basically lapped him six times over in roughly seven months. Youngkin also required applicants to prove they had paid every fine, fee, and restitution balance before getting their rights back. Spanberger's team promptly tossed that requirement into the trash and started proactively hunting for eligible Virginians whose rights could be given back.
Spanberger was clearly proud of herself, stating that the right to vote is foundational to being American and that she heard many personal stories of redemption from Virginians during her time in Congress and on the campaign trail. She called the permanent stripping of voting privileges a shameful relic of the Jim Crow era. Not exactly subtle messaging there, Governor.
The timing of this whole thing is, shall we say, convenient. Early voting for the upcoming midterm elections kicks off on September 18, and wouldn't you know it, there is a pretty significant referendum on the ballot. Virginia voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would let people convicted of felonies automatically get their voting rights back once they walk out of prison, no governor's blessing required. Supporting legislation has already advanced with an effective date that depends on whether voters approve the amendment.
So to recap: a Democratic governor just fast tracked the restoration of civil liberties for tens of thousands of formerly incarcerated Virginians, right before a midterm election that includes a ballot question about making that exact process automatic. You have to admire the efficiency, if nothing else. Whether you think this is a triumph of second chances or a strategically timed political maneuver probably depends on which cable news channel you prefer. Either way, 66,085 Virginians can now fill in little ovals on a piece of paper this fall, and that notary stamp thing too.
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