Richmond, VA — Thousands of Virginians with past felony convictions are expected to regain their voting rights beginning next month following a federal court ruling that reshapes the state’s disenfranchisement policies.
The decision found that Virginia’s current system, which requires individuals to petition the governor to restore voting rights, violates post-Civil War laws intended to protect voting access. The ruling stems from a lawsuit backed by the ACLU, arguing that automatic disenfranchisement is inconsistent with those legal protections.
Under a revised timeline agreed upon by state officials and plaintiffs, June 1 will mark the first date eligible individuals can register to vote without needing gubernatorial approval. State agencies are now working to determine which offenses may still restrict eligibility.
Advocates say the change corrects longstanding barriers and restores participation in the democratic process. “It’s past time to finally right this wrong,” said ACLU attorney Vishal Agraharkar.
The ruling also intersects with a broader push to amend Virginia’s constitution. Lawmakers have approved a ballot measure that would establish automatic rights restoration, which voters will decide on this November.
The shift follows policy changes under previous administrations that altered how voting rights were restored, significantly reducing approvals in recent years.
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