Monday 1/14: Fate of Thousands of Voters in the Hands of Seven Men

Sen. Mark Herring "deeply disappointed" at subcommittee defeat of restoration of voting rights bills (0.00 / 0)

HERRING STATEMENT ON RESTORATION OF RIGHTS BILLS

Leesburg - Democratic candidate for Attorney General State Senator Mark Herring (Loudoun & Fairfax) issued the following statement following the vote of the House Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments to defeat legislation that would have created an automatic process for restoration of civil rights for Virginians convicted of nonviolent felonies:

"I am deeply disappointed that the subcommittee defeated this opportunity to give over 350,000 Virginians a chance at redemption.  Governor McDonnell took an important stand for this issue in his State of the Commonwealth address and it is a shame that members of his own party were unwilling to follow his lead.

"There is still an opportunity this session for Virginia to join the majority of other states that make the restoration of rights an automatic process for non-violent offenders.  Similar legislation, which I am proud to co-patron, is alive in the Senate and I am hopeful it will receive bipartisan support to pass the Senate and give the House another chance to do the right thing."

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by: lowkell @ Mon Jan 14, 2013 at 15:31:31 PM UTC

DPVA Chair: "The House Republicans actions speak louder than words" (0.00 / 0)

McDonnell's Request to Restore Voting Rights Not Loud Enough for House GOP

RICHMOND -- This morning in Privileges and Elections Sub-Committee, just under a week after the Governor called upon the General Assembly to enact legislation for voting rights restoration, the House Republicans voted down multiple bills that could do just that. Even under pressure from Governor Bob McDonnell and the presumed leader of their ticket this year, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli a restrictive version of restoration of civil rights for non-violent felons was killed in committee earlier today.

"The House Republicans actions speak louder than words, instead of finding common ground on an issue like the restoration of voting rights they are working to make it harder to vote while they think no one is watching," said Del. Charniele Herring. "Keeping voting rights from people who have served their time and paid their debt to society is wrong, even Governor Bob McDonnell says we should pass this legislation.

"The ability to vote is one of our inherent rights as Americans. Instead Republicans in the House are using it as part of their political agenda to block access to the ballot box.

"It is my sincere hope that as we move forward through this legislative session that the members of this General Assembly can work together on a range of bills that will make voting more accessible during the upcoming election. Virginians deserve a legislature that will find ways to make it easier to have their voice heard not silence them while denying them the ability to vote."

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by: lowkell @ Mon Jan 14, 2013 at 15:57:57 PM UTC

Sen. Mark Warner: "Very disappointing" the House blocked "bipartisan legislation" on voting rights restoration (0.00 / 0)

STATEMENT OF U.S. SEN. MARK WARNER
~ on rejection of Virginia legislation on restoration of voting rights ~

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the following statement regarding today's action by a Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee to defeat legislation that would have created an automatic process for restoration of civil rights for Virginians convicted of nonviolent felonies. Sen. Warner, who served as Virginia Governor between 2002-06, initiated a streamlined restoration of rights process that restored voting privileges to 3,486 nonviolent felons - more than all of his predecessors combined:

"It is very disappointing that this bipartisan legislation has been blocked at the starting point of a two-year process that would allow Virginia voters to weigh in on a commonsense step already in place in virtually every other state.  Restoring voting privileges to people who have completed their sentences, paid their fines, made restitution and lived as law-abiding citizens is the right thing to do, and that's why I made it a high priority when I served as Governor. I encourage the Virginia Senate to move forward on its own versions of this legislation so that the House of Delegates will have another opportunity this year to consider this bipartisan approach to restoration of rights."

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by: lowkell @ Mon Jan 14, 2013 at 16:18:34 PM UTC

Gov. McDonnell: "very disappointed in today's vote" against restoration of voting rights (0.00 / 0)

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on House Subcommittee Vote Against Automatic Restoration of Rights Amendments

RICHMOND-Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this morning following a House subcommittee vote against proposed constitutional amendments that would provide for the automatic restoration of rights for individuals who have committed a non-violent felony but have served their full sentences and paid all fines and fees. Governor McDonnell announced his support for the legislation during the State of the Commonwealth address, and his Secretary of the Commonwealth, Janet Kelly, testified on behalf of the Administration in support of the measures at the hearing.

"I am very disappointed in today's vote against these constitutional amendments. Once individuals have served their time, and paid their fines, restitution, and other costs, they should have the opportunity to rejoin society as fully contributing members. As a nation that embraces second chances and believes in redemption, we want more productive citizens and fewer people returning to prison. Automatic restoration of constitutional rights will help reintegrate individuals back into society and prevent future crimes, which means fewer victims and a safer Virginia.

When I ran for Governor, I pledged to institute the fastest and fairest restoration of rights process in Virginia history. We have approved more applications for the restoration of rights than any prior administration. We are acting on completed applications in 60 days or less; far quicker than prior efforts. While it is a faster process, it is still an executive branch process. A person convicted of a non-violent offense, who has served their time, and paid all their fines and costs, should be able to then regain the right to vote and begin their life again as a fully engaged member of our democracy.  A constitutional right deserves a constitutional amendment so that all applicants are treated equally across administrations.

I believe strongly, as a matter of conscience, in protecting the constitutional rights of our citizens.  And I believe that it is time for Virginia to join the overwhelming majority of states in eliminating our bureaucratic restoration process and creating a clear predictable constitutional and statutory process. I appreciate the support of Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli for this measure. Our Administration will remain committed to seeing Virginia put in place an automatic restoration of rights process for non-violent felons. It is the right step to take."

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by: lowkell @ Mon Jan 14, 2013 at 16:56:25 PM UTC