Spanberger: “Tonight, Virginians Made Clear That Our Fellow Citizens Deserve To Be Heard”

RICHMOND, VA. — Governor Spanberger released the following statement after Virginians voted to pass an automatic voting rights restoration amendment to the Virginia Constitution.

“The right to vote is foundational to who we are as Americans. Tonight, we saw a majority of Virginia voters take a real step to protect that right for their neighbors — creating a constitutional right to vote for every eligible Virginian.

“In Virginia, regaining the right to vote has long been reserved to those who had the right individually restored by the Governor — an opportunity that many eligible community members who have served their time have waited months or years to receive, or never received at all. Virginians who have been given this opportunity have shared with me their personal stories of redemption, what it has meant to receive this simple act of justice, and their immense pride in being able to take hold of their second chance.

“The right to vote is about more than casting a ballot. It is about moving beyond some of the darkest moments in our history and removing a shameful relic of our Jim Crow past. It is about giving every eligible American a voice in our democracy. And tonight, Virginians made clear that our fellow citizens deserve to be heard.”

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