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.
