#RestoreVoterRightsVA
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe restores voting rights to 200,000 felons | The Tylt
Democratic governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe just signed an executive order returning the right to vote to felons who've served their time and completed their parole. Until today, Virginia was one of only four states that had a lifetime ban on voting for felons.
Did McAuliffe do the right thing? Or should convicted felons permanently lose their right to vote?
Supporters called McAuliffe's action "the single most significant action on disenfranchisement that we’ve ever seen from a governor." Virginia Republicans criticized the executive order, calling it "political opportunism," and blasted McAuliffe for giving "murders and rapists the right to vote in Virginia."
What do you think?
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Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe restores voting rights to 200,000 felons
#RestoreVoterRightsVA
#NoVotesForFelons
#NoVotesForFelons
Conservatives blasted McAuliffe's order, calling it a political maneuver to gain votes for Democrats.
McAuliffe restores voting rights for 206K ex-felons; GOP calls it move to boost Clinton https://t.co/9v9qDF5x3P pic.twitter.com/NdiQOaDXJv
— The Patriot (@ThePatriot143) April 22, 2016
Others argued that once felons have paid their debts, they deserve their rights restored.
@AP as one who benefitted from such a decision I am pleased. A person reformed deserves a 2nd chance.
— Steven Charles (@shibbysc) April 22, 2016
For many, restoring felons' voting rights is closely tied to minority disenfranchisement and prison reform.
@PilotNews About time! End systemic disenfranchisement now! It's racist and unamerican.
— Trandor Land (@wamyc) April 22, 2016
#NoVotesForFelons
Conservatives allege the executive order is about winning elections, not righting past racial injustices.
@sherylstolberg @CoreyHutchins This isn't about race it is about votes. If the felons were Republicans he wouldn't be doing this.
— John Hunt (@Hunt1954) April 22, 2016
