September 15, 2016 News & Press Releases · Press Releases and Announcements

DPVA Statement on the Virginia Supreme Court’s Decision to Deny Republicans’ Contempt Motion on Restoration of Rights


by Democratic Party of Virginia

Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) Chairwoman Susan Swecker released the following statement after the Virginia Supreme Court denied Virginia Republicans' contempt motion against Governor McAuliffe's historic rights restoration action:

"This is a milestone victory in the fight to restore voting rights to thousands of Virginians. Today's ruling is evidence that Virginia Republicans initiated a baseless and partisan ploy to undermine the precious right to vote. Our work is far from over, but Governor McAuliffe's historic rights restoration will not be sidelined by partisan assaults. Democrats will continue to defend the fundamental right to vote.

"Virginia Republicans tried to use the judiciary branch in their unwavering effort to disenfranchise voters and today, they failed. Now is also the time for them to drop Republican Leader Tommy Norment's effort to rewrite the Virginia Constitution to deny thousands of individuals any hope of a voice in their society. This is an opportunity for Republicans to stand, for once, on the side of expanding access to democracy rather than restricting it."