The governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe, recently issued an executive order that restored the vote to two hundred and six thousand people who have completed prison sentences and probation, or parole for a felony conviction. The move was rightly hailed as a milestone in Virginia; however jobs for the convicted residents will never become easier.
According to THE NEW YORKER, the voting rights of these Virginians are a well-known issue this year. It is reportedly not surprising that attention turned to the political significance of the order. And that Republicans alleged the governor of enfranchising voters to strengthen Democrats' position in the state.
However, voting rights are only one of many rights that are held back from people who have had felony convictions and some other convictions. The state also imposes eight hundred and fifty-three other restrictions. These are popularly known as collateral consequences on people who have been convicted of a certain crime.
The Atlantic reported that in most states, except Virginia, the right to vote is automatically restored after people with felony convictions complete their sentences. And this had been in practice even among conservative states. In an email, Virginia governor McAuliffe's office wrote that the Republicans have no basis for a lawsuit.
Moreover, the office wrote that the state's constitution gives him the right to grant clemency and to grant "reprieves and pardons after conviction." His office even added, "The Governor is disappointed that Republicans would go to such lengths to continue locking people who have served their time out of their democracy ... These Virginians are qualified to vote and they deserve a voice, not more partisan schemes to disenfranchise them."
However, the announcement immediately attracted criticisms from Republicans. They viewed McAuliffe's move as a blatant favor to his longtime friend Hillary Clinton, for who he and his wife recently raised $2 million at their McLean home, as mentioned by The Washington Post.
Along with restoring the voting rights, McAuliffe's action restores the right to serve on a jury, run for office, and become a notary public. The new rights would also apply to felons convicted in states other than Virginia and for those people who live in the state.
Meanwhile, the governor denied that the move was politically motivated. He even stated that his administration has been working on the voting rights for six to eight months prior to the announcement.
