Virginia Restores Voting Rights to 66,000 People

More than 66,000 Virginians can vote again, serve on juries, and run for office after Governor Abigail Spanberger restored their civil rights following past felony convictions.

The restoration marks a major shift from policies under former Governor Glenn Youngkin, who eliminated streamlined processes and required individual applications. Many people waited years for reviews under that system.

Spanberger's administration brought back proactive outreach to find eligible Virginians and removed what officials called "unnecessary" questions from applications. Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon King says every case still receives individual review while working with law enforcement to verify eligibility.

Virginia remains one of just three states that permanently strips voting rights from people with felony convictions unless the governor intervenes. The state constitution gives governors broad power over who gets their rights back and how.

The policy has swung like a pendulum over the past decade. Republican Governor Bob McDonnell began expanding restorations, which Democratic Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam accelerated. McAuliffe restored rights to more than 173,000 people during his term, while Northam restored rights to over 126,000.

Then Youngkin reversed course, slowing the pace dramatically. Spanberger has now restored both the process and the momentum.

The Ripple Effect

This November, Virginia voters will decide whether to make automatic restoration permanent. The proposed constitutional amendment would restore voting rights to people with felony convictions as soon as they leave prison, removing governors from the process entirely.

The change has strong support. A 2025 survey found 63% of registered voters back automatically restoring rights after people complete their sentences.

House Speaker Don Scott, whose own rights were restored by McDonnell after a federal drug conviction, called the current system "restoration of rights gridlock." He urged voters to support the amendment so future governors cannot reverse the policy.

The current restriction traces back to Virginia's 1901-02 constitutional convention, where white political leaders designed voting barriers specifically to suppress Black political participation. Civil rights advocates emphasize this shameful history as Virginia considers change.

Early voting for the referendum begins September 18, with Election Day set for November 3. If approved, Virginia would join most other states in automatically restoring this fundamental right.

For now, 66,000 more Virginians have their voices back just in time to use them.