Taking advantage of recent announcements from the governor that he will expedite restoration applications to enable former felons to vote in the November elections, the ACLU of Virginia has launched a program to encourage and assist individuals with the restoration of their voting rights. The program begins with advertisements in today’s Voice newspaper in the Richmond area, and tomorrow’s Voice newspaper in Hampton Roads. Tomorrow’s Richmond Free Press will run a large format version of the ad. The ads say the governor has indicated he will be able to process all fully completed applications from non-violent felons submitted by June 29 in time for the registration deadline of October 15. Also, because the governor’s office has a general goal of processing such applications within 60 days, the ACLU is encouraging those who miss the June 29 deadline to try to submit applications by mid-August.
The ACLU chose newspapers primarily aimed at the minority communities because Virginia’s felon disenfranchisement law is a product of Jim Crow that still disproportionately impacts minority voters. “Gov. McDonnell has shown an increasing interest in reintegrating former felons back into society, including an emphasis on restoring voting rights,” said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis. “We want to help him do that by encouraging applications and helping with the process.”
Full Article: ACLU program encourages restoration of voting rights for former felons | Luray Page Free Press.