When thinking about convicts or former convicts, one constant argument is brought up: what about their civil rights? The governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin (R) has made it so that almost 3,500 former convicts are going to be eligible to try to gain their civil rights back.
This consists of the right to vote, serve in a jury, run for public office, and even become a notary public. This process will be covered by the governor’s office, Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, and the Department of Corrections. They all will be involved in evaluating the restoration of these rights to these former convicts. “The restoration of rights process provides a fresh step forward for individuals who have made mistakes, but have done their duty to our community and which to be full and productive citizens of our Commonwealth,” said Virginia Secretary Kay Coles James. The governor is the only one with the power and discretion to restore rights to people who have been convicted of a felony and this was a positive and very impactful decision made by him.
This is a very big deal because while this is happening in Virginia, this is something that can lead to other governors and political leaders fighting for the restoration of their former convicts as well. There are even people that argue on the side of current prisoners being able to vote. With more situations like this happening, this can lead to more civil rights being available to the people.