|
 By using his executive powers, the Democratic governor is
circumventing the Republican majority in the state General Assembly.
Many of the convicts affected by the order are African-Americans or
Latinos, two groups that have voted overwhelmingly for Democratic
candidates in the past.
"Virginia will no longer build walls and barriers to the ballot box
- we will break them down,” McAuliffe said in a message on his
Twitter account.
Advocates of restoring voting rights say it is a way of promoting
racial justice, as African-Americans are convicted of crimes and
sent to prison at about twice the rate of the overall U.S.
population.
Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political analyst at the University of Mary
Washington in Fredericksburg, said a majority of the convicted
felons who regained their voting rights were likely members of
minority groups.
 Of the 5.8 million Americans banned from voting, 2.2 million are
African-American, according to the Sentencing Project, a prison
reform advocacy group.
In three states - Virginia, Florida and Kentucky - more than a fifth
of black residents outside of prison are barred from voting. About
13 percent of the U.S. population is African-American.
McAuliffe's order drew immediate criticism from John Whitbeck,
chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, who said the governor
should have excluded those convicted of violent crimes.
"His decision to issue a blanket restoration, without regard to the
nature of the crimes committed doesn't speak of mercy. Rather, it
speaks of political opportunism," Whitbeck said in a statement.
Nationwide, restoration of voting rights is an issue that has drawn
support from both Democrats and Republicans as a way to improve
reintegration of prisoners into society.
About two dozen states have eased restrictions on felons casting
ballots over the past two decades, according to the Sentencing
Project.
[to top of second column] |
POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS
But the move carries political implications as well. Virginia is
considered a key swing state in the 2016 election, and the
governor's order could tip the balance in favor of the Democratic
candidate who wins the party's nomination.
While Democrat Barack Obama took Virginia both in the 2008 and 2012
elections, Republican presidential candidates have a history of
dominance in the state. Before Obama's victories, Republicans
carried Virginia in every presidential election since 1952 except
one. In 1964, Democrat Lyndon Johnson won in Virginia as he defeated
Barry Goldwater in a national landslide.
The governor, who said on Friday Virginia has had some of the most
restrictive laws in the country for restoration of voting and civil
rights, has made the issue a high priority during his
administration. Previous efforts have resulted in the restoration of
voting rights to 18,000 Virginians, he said.
The order will restore the rights of every Virginia felon who
completed his or her sentence and all other requirements as of April
22, affecting 206,000 people immediately, the governor said in a
press release.
Before the order, Virginia felons would have to petition the
governor, who had broad discretion in ruling on any request.
(Additional reporting by Ian Simpson and Frank McGurty; Writing by
Frank McGurty; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Tom Brown)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
