Restore Voting Rights To Returning Citizens!

The Virginia Senate is voting soon on a constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to returning citizens in Virginia! Email your state Senator and ask them to vote yes on ending felony disenfranchisement in the Commonwealth!

I'm asking you to vote YES on SJ272 to automatically restore voting rights to returning citizens in Virginia.

This constitutional amendment would automatically restore the right to vote to people who have been convicted of a felony and have served their time. Our democracy works best when everyone is able to participate, including returning citizens. People should be able to learn from their mistakes and move forward with healthy, productive lives, and have a fair opportunity to succeed.

People of color, particularly Black men, are overrepresented in all areas of the criminal justice system due to structural racism and systemic inequities. Refusing to restore the right to vote after people have served their sentence perpetuates white supremacy. By allowing returning citizens to vote, we take one small step towards a more equitable society where everyone’s voice can be heard.

People who have paid their debt to society by completing their sentences and
probation and/or parole should have their civil rights restored and have a second
chance to be a full citizen. Returning citizens fully understand the need to pay fines, fees, and restitution. However, preventing them from having their civil rights restored until they pay in full is a mistake. Continuing to disenfranchise these people continues the cycle
of incarceration by preventing access to opportunities of employment, education,
transportation, and housing, along with concentrated poverty in deliberately confined
neighborhoods.

Please vote to end felony disenfranchisement in Virginia!

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