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
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/09/2016 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16101591D |
01/09/2016 | Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections |
02/16/2016 | Left in Privileges and Elections |
Comments
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.