In Virginia, most felony convictions no longer disqualify individuals from voting. Only convictions for murder or manslaughter take away the right to vote. If lost, voting rights can be restored by the governor.
Virginia’s voting rights rules have changed significantly and now the vast majority of people with felony convictions can vote. Pursuant to recent court orders, only convictions for murder, voluntary manslaughter, or involuntary manslaughter take away the right to vote. No other felony convictions impact the right to vote. That means that hundreds of thousands of people who previously could not vote are now eligible. Virginia officials, however, are not processing voter registrations from people currently incarcerated for a felony.
If the right to vote has been lost for a conviction of murder or manslaughter, it can be restored by the Governor. Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration recently restored voting rights to more than 100,000 Virginians. If you have one of the three disqualifying convictions, you may still have the right to vote because of these restorations.
Virginia is also considering a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights upon release from incarceration. If approved, the change would take effect January 1, 2027.
Just a few quick questions between you and a clear answer about your right to vote.
With over 200,000 Virginians becoming re-enfranchised this year, our partners are helping returning citizens understand their voting rights after a felony, and empowering a community that has been wrongfully denied for over a century.
“If we ever want to repair this broken system, if we ever want to repair our broken communities, we have to fully allow returning citizens to participate in the civic processes.” - Quadaire Patterson from Brilliance Behind Bars
