Virginia Governor Restores Voting Rights to Felons

RICHMOND, VA — More than 200,000 felons who have had to sit on the sidelines every Election Day will now be able to enter the voting booth after an executive action signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe Friday morning.

"These people have completed their sentences," he said to a crowd in Richmond. "They have atoned for their actions."

The governor said this is about protecting the right to vote for all Virginians and their right to participate in the decisions impacting their community.

"With this action, we will send a message to these individuals and the world that Virginia will no longer build walls and barriers to the ballot box, we will tear them down," McAuliffe said.

Opponents argue that McAuliffe went too far with a blanket restoration that doesn't take into account the nature of the crime that a felon has committed.

"This blanket action, undertaken for such blatant political purposes, sullies the hard-won second chances for those who have worked so hard to overcome their mistakes," said state Republican Party chairman John Whitbeck. "Restoration of rights should be a celebration of overcoming, not a transparent effort to win votes."

The governor said he has the legal authority to take the executive action Friday without requiring approval from the Republican-controlled state legislature.

The New York Times notes that Virginia is one of four states, including Kentucky, Florida and Iowa, with the harshest restrictions on voting rights for felons.

The governor's action provides an opportunity for everyone's voice to be heard, said Anna Scholl, executive director of Progress Virginia, a progressive advocacy group.

"Today’s historic announcement from Governor McAuliffe means a stronger commonwealth where we value and respect the voices and contributions of individuals who have made mistakes and are ready and eager to fully rejoin public life," Scholl said.

Photo: Office of the Governor, Twitter