Constitutional amendment; restoration of voting rights. (SJ321)
Introduced By
Sen. Don McEachin (D-Richmond)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
☐ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
Description
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); restoration of voting rights. Provides for the automatic restoration of voting rights to persons convicted of nonviolent felonies (excepting felony drug and election fraud crimes) upon completion of sentence, including any term of probation or parole. The bill further provides that persons convicted of violent felonies, felony drug crimes, or election fraud crimes may have their voting rights restored by the Governor upon completion of sentence, including any term of probation or parole, and authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the restoration of voting rights to such persons. The restoration of rights pursuant to this provision has no effect on the right to possess firearms. Read the Bill »
Status
01/22/2013: Merged into SB767
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/09/2013 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13103188D |
01/09/2013 | Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections |
01/15/2013 | Assigned to P&E sub: Constitutional Amendments, Reapportionment and Referenda |
01/22/2013 | Incorporated by Privileges and Elections (SJ266-Lucas) (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
The ACLU of Virginia supports legislation automatically restores the civil rights of non-violent felons. We have concerns about this bill because this bill because it excludes certain types of non-violent convictions from automatic restoration. Automatic restoration of civil rights should be applied evenly across all types of convictions and not place additional burdens to the restoration process.