"This election was a critical step to protect Virginians’ civil rights and civil liberties, and a clear repudiation of attempts to roll them back," said ACLU-VA Executive Director Mary Bauer.

“Virginia governors have historically restored Virginians’ voting rights – not removed them," said ACLU-VA Executive Director Mary Bauer. “No administration should get to pick and choose who gets to vote, and that includes this one." 

The Virginia Department of Elections released its Annual List Maintenance Report last week detailing the cancellation of the voting rights of 17,368 Virginians convicted of a new felony after their voting rights had been restored.

Protect Democracy, ACLU of Virginia, and WilmerHale filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit in federal court challenging the Virginia Constitution’s felony disenfranchisement. The case claims that Virginia is in violation of the 150-year-old federal law that established the terms of Virginia’s readmission

The chance for Virginia voters to have their say on the Right to Vote Constitutional Amendment was officially killed in the 2022 General Assembly session.

The ACLU of Virginia joined partners to urge Virginia to hold a special election in 2022 for the Virginia House of Delegates based on newly created, fairer voting maps.