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UPDATE: It’s a first in Virginia, the full Senate voted in support of automatic restoration of rights for non-violent conviction felons but it did not pass in the House. The House Privileges and Elections Committee voted to table the bill with no likely passage for this General Assembly session.

The 71st Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Bob McDonnell announced during the 2013 State of the Commonwealth Address that he supports automatic restoration of rights for non violent felons.

Governor McDonnell said during his speech at the State Capitol  that his administration has now restored the civil rights of more Virginians than any other Administration in state history. To date, he has restored rights to 4,423 individuals.

Governor McDonnell, in his speech, will support legislation which would allow for automatic restoration of rights for non-violent felons once they have served their sentence and paid fines/restitution.

 Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement on Monday after a House of Delegates subcommittee failed to act on legislation to provide for the automatic restoration of rights for non-violent felons. The inaction effectively ends the bill’s prospects for passage this session.

“Today, our efforts to provide for the automatic restoration of rights for non-violent felons who have paid their fines and their debts to society came to an end for this General Assembly session when a House of Delegates subcommittee failed to act on the proposal. It is disappointing that the General Assembly was not able to enact this common sense reform to restore the fundamental rights to vote and serve on juries to these citizens who have atoned for their earlier mistakes. 

Read the full statement from the Office of Governor Bob McDonnell

 

**The Rolling for Freedom Project will host a “Voter/Restoration of Rights” rally on Thursday, February 28, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at HarryCo 3900 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227. Please bring your sentencing papers and proof that all fines/restitution have been paid in full. Special guests Garry Ellis, State Board of Elections and Sandra Antione, Grassroots Empowerment

**The Rolling for Freedom Project will host a “Voter/Restoration of Rights” forum on Thursday, April 18, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at 6th Mount Zion Baptist Church 14 West Duvall Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220. Please bring your sentencing papers and proof that all fines/restitution have been paid in full. Special guest speakers Garry Ellis, State Board of Elections, Delegate Joe Morrissey and Candice Reid, Director of Restoration of Rights for the Commonwealth of Virginia

Gov McDonnell Responds to House Panel Rejection of Automatic Restoration of Rights Legislation  was originally published on kissrichmond.com