ACLU-VA to Virginia Registrars: Updated voter eligibility guidance

We are providing Virginia registrars with updated guidance on felony convictions and voter eligibility in the Commonwealth.

October 7, 2026

White and light blue text that reads "Virginia Registrars: you've got mail" over a dark blue background. A hand holding an unopened envelope is in the top right corner, and overlaps a photo of buttons that say "Voted" on them.

Prior to 2026, individuals with a felony conviction had their voting rights automatically and permanently taken away, unless their rights were restored by the governor.

In January 2026, a federal judge ruled in King v. O'Bannon that Virginia's constitution broke federal law by stripping the voting rights of every Virginian with a felony conviction.

As a result of this decision, thousands of individuals who were previously convicted of felonies may now be eligible to register to vote without petitioning for their rights to be restored by the governor.

Read our letter to Virginia registrars directing them to Virginia Department of Elections' updated guidance around voter registration for individuals with felony convictions.

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