Governor Abigail Spanberger announced on Saturday that her administration has restored the right to vote and other civil rights to 66,085 Virginians who were formerly incarcerated following felony convictions. The announcement, which was issued by the Office of the Governor in Richmond, noted that the restorations have occurred since Spanberger took office this past January.
Virginia is one of three states with a state constitution that permanently disenfranchises citizens with past felony convictions, leaving the restoration of those rights to the discretion of the governor. The civil rights restored under this process include the right to vote, serve on a jury, run for public office, and become a notary public.
Prior to 2022, governors from both major parties had worked to streamline the restoration process. Former Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican who left office in January 2026, shifted to a case-by-case application review system. Fewer than 10,000 restorations occurred under Youngkin’s administration, however.
Upon taking office, the Spanberger Administration reestablished processes to review applications and to proactively identify eligible Virginians whose rights could be restored. This included removing a requirement, added during the Youngkin Administration, for applicants to confirm payment of all fines, fees, and restitution.
I’m proud that — after contending with the former Governor’s efforts to deny Virginians their rights, we have given more than 60,000 Virginians back their right to vote.
Tens of thousands of our neighbors who have served their time and deserve the chance to use their voices. pic.twitter.com/yijxWmqyjv
— Governor Abigail Spanberger (@GovernorVA) August 1, 2026
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“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. 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,” Spanberger boasted in an announcement.
“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 added.
“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. 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.”
The timing of the announcement places the restorations ahead of early voting in the upcoming midterm elections, which begins on September 18. That ballot includes a referendum on a proposed constitutional amendment.
If approved, the amendment would allow individuals convicted of felonies to automatically regain their voting rights upon release from incarceration, reducing the role of gubernatorial discretion in the process. Supporting legislation has advanced with a delayed effective date contingent on voter approval of the amendment.
