Constitutional amendment; qualifications of voters, restoration of civil rights (HJ92)

Introduced By

Del. Betsy Carr (D-Richmond) with support from co-patron Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate

Description

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications of voters; restoration of civil rights. Provides that the General Assembly may provide by general law for the restoration of civil rights to persons who have been convicted of felonies and who have completed service of their sentence, including any period or condition of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/09/2016Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16101591D
01/09/2016Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
02/16/2016Left in Privileges and Elections

Comments

ACLU-VA Legislative Agenda, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports legislation that repeals Virginia's felon disenfranchisement provision and automatically restores the civil rights of individuals convicted of a felony, without the condition of repayment of fines, fees, or restitution. Virginia's Jim Crow-era law, one of the worst in the nation, permanently bans over 472,000 individuals convicted of a felony from voting. Of these individuals, 350,000 live in communities, raise families, work, and pay taxes. African-Americans are disproportionately and unfairly impacted---20 % or 1 out of every 5 African Americans in Virginia is disenfranchised. Legislators should work together to permanently repeal this law.