Gov. Bob McDonnell’s policy of automatic rights restoration for non-violent felons, which was established July 15, has already restored the civil rights of 1,566 Virginians, according to a statement released by his office last Thursday. Since McDonnell entered office in 2010, he has restored the civil rights of more than 6,800 state residents.
Felons in Virginia lose several rights upon their conviction, including the rights to vote, to run for or hold public office and to serve on juries. They can later apply to have these rights reinstated if they meet certain behavioral standards after certain time periods determined by the crime’s severity. The governor’s new program makes this restoration process automatic for non-violent felons.
McDonnell promised restoring the rights of convicted non-violent felons throughout his 2009 gubernatorial campaign. But until this summer, applications were reviewed on a rolling basis by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The 6,874 Virginians whose rights have been restored comprise only a small portion of the more than 350,000 people disenfranchised in Virginia. Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Kelly said her office was now better aware of how to improve the new automatic program.
“We are pleased with the number of rights that were granted,” Kelly said in the statement. “However, there is more work to be done.”
To ensure the continued success of the program, the governor plans to include increased funding for it in his upcoming biennial budget.
“I strongly believe in second chances and redemption,” McDonnell said in the statement. “It is a fundamental part of the American way. Our efforts on prisoner re-entry and the restoration of rights are working. When an individual has done their time, and paid their fines, costs and other obligations, they deserve the opportunity to rejoin our democracy in full.”
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