JUST IN: “A Shameful Relic of Our Jim Crow Past” – Democrat Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger Restores Voting Rights for 66,000 Felons Before Midterms

by Jordan Conradson Jul. 31, 2026 7:00 pm



Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signing legislation in Richmond, Va. on March 31, 2026. (Virginia Governor’s Office)

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced on Friday that her administration has restored voting rights for more than 66,000 felons since taking office in January.

The Democrats gained 66,085 new voters with this move.

Their rights to serve on a jury, run for public office, and become a notary public were also restored under Spanberger’s direction.

“By giving these Virginians back their ability to make an impact at the local, state, and national levels, we are empowering our neighbors to take hold of their second chance,” Spanberger said in a statement.

Virginia is one of three states that strips convicted felons of their right to vote.

Spanberger’s predecessor, Republican Glenn Youngkin, previously rolled back a policy of automatically restoring felons’ rights and chose to evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis.

According to the Blaze, Youngkin had restored the right to vote for about 10,000 felons.

“The right to vote is foundational to who we are as Americans. As a Member of Congress, as a candidate for Governor, and in the months since I took office, I have heard from many Virginians who have shared their personal stories of redemption with me — and heartfelt reflections of the moment their voting rights were restored by previous Governors,” Spanberger said.

“I’m proud that — after contending with my predecessor’s efforts to deny Virginians their fundamental rights — we have restored the rights of more than 66,000 Virginians who have served their time. These Virginians deserve the right to use their vote, make their voices heard, and be recognized as contributing citizens to our Commonwealth and country.”

She further urged voters to vote yes on a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights to convicted felons upon completing their sentences. She called the practice of stripping voting rights from felons “a shameful relic of our Jim Crow past.”

The governor wrote, “This fall, voters can cast their ballots for Virginia to no longer strip so many of our neighbors of their fundamental rights — a shameful relic of our Jim Crow past. I hope Virginians will join me in voting yes.”

Not only is Spanberger trying to get as many convicted-felon voters as possible, but her state is now pausing the removal of noncitizen voters from the voting rolls 90 days before the election in accordance with a court settlement between Virginia and the Campaign Legal Center.

According to Judicial Watch, “Virginia cancelled 6,531 declared non-citizen voter registrations. But Virginia entered into a settlement with leftist groups to pause the program to remove declared noncitizens from voting rolls for the 90-day period before federal elections.”

According to Judicial Watch, The more than 6,500 noncitizen voters were removed between 2024 and June 2026.

Tom Fitton
@TomFitton
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NEW: @JudicialWatchjust found that Virginia cancelled 6,531 declared non-citizen voter registrations. But Virginia entered into a settlement with leftist groups to pause the program to remove declared noncitizens from voting rolls for the 90-day period before federal elections!





11:16 AM · Jul 31, 2026

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...past-democrat/