RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A new report says more than 350,000 Virginians can’t vote because of felony convictions.
The study, released by the Sentencing Project, found that nearly 6 million adults in America can’t vote because they are felons. And it hits African Americans harder than any other race. In Virginia, 20%, or one in five blacks can’t vote. Critics say that’s drastic considering Virginia is a battleground state.
Currently in Virginia, state law says only the Governor can restore voting rights of those convicted of felonies.