RICHMOND, Va. -- Gov. Terry McAuliffe set off a political firestorm when he issued a blanket restoration of voting rights for some 206,000 felons - seven months before November’s presidential election.
But Christina Mancini, Asst. Professor of Criminal Justice at VCU, says restoring felons’ rights is something 18 other states already do automatically.
Two states never take away voting rights in the first place.
It’s difficult to separate the politics from McAuliffe’s action, but take a listen to what Dr. Mancini has to say about why restoring felons’ rights is an important part of reintegrating them into society.
Related: Republicans demand answers after governor restores felons’ voting rights
