Constitutional amendment; qualifications to vote, restoration of civil rights. (SJ222)

Introduced By

Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) with support from co-patron Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate

Description

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications to vote; restoration of civil rights. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies who have completed service of their sentences subject to the conditions, requirements, and definitions set forth in that law. The present Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds an alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to law for nonviolent felons. Read the Bill »

Status

01/31/2017: Incorporated into Another Bill

History

DateAction
08/30/2016Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17100282D
08/30/2016Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/20/2017Assigned to P&E sub: Constitutional Amendments
01/31/2017Incorporated by Privileges and Elections (SJ223-Norment) (9-Y 5-N) (see vote tally)

Duplicate Bills

The following bills are identical to this one: SJ12.

Comments

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

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports passage of legislation that permanently repeals the felon disenfranchisement provision in the Virginia Constitution and that would automatically restore the civil rights of Virginians convicted of a felony. Legislators should replace the provision with an affirmative right to vote for all Virginians who are citizens of voting age.

Lisa Beverly writes:

Voting rights are sacred. If a felon had served his time, he should be able to vote. Support SJ 222
I am a resident of Richmond.