Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications of voters and executive clemency. (SJ253)
Introduced By
Sen. Roz Dance (D-Petersburg) with support from co-patron Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
Description
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications of voters and executive clemency. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the automatic restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies who have completed service of their sentences. The amendment retains the Governor's authority to restore the civil rights of persons convicted of violent felonies who have completed service of their sentences. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/03/2017 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17102134D |
01/03/2017 | Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections |
01/20/2017 | Assigned to P&E sub: Constitutional Amendments |
01/31/2017 | Failed to report (defeated) in Privileges and Elections (7-Y 7-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
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.