Virginia's tough rules for felons to regain their voting rights could soon be changing

"King lost his ability to vote in the state because of a 2018 felony drug possession conviction. He served 11 months in prison and is now challenging Virginia's constitutional rule that automatically strips anyone's voting rights if they're convicted of a felony. The constitution gives the governor sole authority to restore those rights. More than 300,000 Virginians currently can't vote because of the policy, according to filings in King's legal challenge which is just one of the ways Virginia's voter restoration system could soon change."

"Virginia is one of just three states where only the governor can restore voting rights for people with felony convictions. And the governors of the other two states, Iowa and Kentucky, have signed orders to make the process automatic for most people with felony convictions, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, which tracks voting regulations. Virginia's current governor, Republican Glenn Youngkin, rolled back efforts from his last three predecessors a Republican and two Democrats that made the restoration process automatic in most cases."

"Tati King says he wants to set an example for his grandchildren that it's important to make sure their voices are heard. It's why King, a 54-year-old living in Alexandria, Va., is suing Virginia election officials in federal court to get his voting rights restored. "I want them to see that their grandfather was on the right side of things for once in his life," he said."

Tati King, a 54-year-old from Alexandria, is suing Virginia election officials in federal court to restore his voting rights after a 2018 felony drug possession conviction that led to 11 months in prison. Virginia's constitution automatically strips voting rights after felony convictions and grants the governor sole authority to restore them. More than 300,000 Virginians currently cannot vote under this policy. Incoming governor Abigail Spanberger may change the restoration system and a proposed constitutional amendment could make restoration automatic after sentences are complete. Governor Glenn Youngkin reversed prior automatic-restoration efforts, prompting lawsuits and transparency concerns.

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