Constitutional amendment; restoration of voting rights. (HJ721)

Introduced By

Del. Algie Howell (D-Norfolk)

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 »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/11/2013Presented and ordered printed 13103923D
01/11/2013Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/14/2013Assigned P & E sub: Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee
01/14/2013Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely
02/05/2013Left in Privileges and Elections

Duplicate Bills

The following bills are identical to this one: SJ321.

Comments

ACLU-VA Voting Rights, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

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.