Virginia Democrats push to end constitutional rule stripping felons of voting rights
Virginia is one of three states, along with Kentucky and Iowa, whose laws allow for permanent disenfranchisement of people convicted of felonies. Several high-profile Democrats in Virginia, including Governor Ralph Northam, are seeking to change that by pushing for a state constitutional amendment which restores voting rights to convicted felons upon their release from prison. There is an alternative amendment being proposed by some Virginia state legislatures which would allow felons to vote while in prison. Currently, only Vermont, Maine, and Washington, D.C. allow felons to vote in prison.
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Young adults will be the nation’s largest voting bloc in the upcoming election and the National Voter Education Week plans to equip them with the tools and information they need to cast a ballot this fall.
A voting initiative started by several Black athletes and artists combatting systemic and racist voter suppression. This initiative aims at educating, energizing, and protecting the Black community’s right to vote.
