A measure that would have restored voting rights to Virginia’s nonviolent felons was squashed in a General Assembly subcommittee last week.
The bill would have restored voting rights to many of the more than 350,000 felons who have served their time, but are unable to vote. Governor Bob McDonnell has already restored the rights for more than 4,000 felons.
Under Virginia law, proposed amendments to the Constitution must pass the state legislature twice before passing a statewide referendum before the amendment can be put into effect.
Members of the Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee of the Privileges and Elections Committee voted 6-1 to indefinitely pass by the bill, not allowing it to reach the floor of the House.
Virginia’s laws are considered one the harshest in the country in regards to regaining voting rights, which includes an unofficial 60-day deadline for processing requests.
If you are seeking to restore your civil rights after serving time for a crime, contact our Virginia criminal defense attorneys to discuss your options.
