Virginia Republicans, in an effort to preserve voter suppression, have filed a lawsuit to overturn Governor McAuliffe’s order to restore voting rights. A chorus of Virginia leaders, editorial boards, and columnists have spoken out against the action as both discriminatory and lacking a constitutional argument.
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By attempting to strip away voting rights from hundreds of thousands of Virginians, Republicans are again showing their desire to make voting more difficult for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Virginians who have made mistakes, served their time and returned to their community should have the right to fully participate in their community. - Del. David Toscano, Leader of the House Democratic Caucus
Virginia Republicans are once again working to put barriers in front of people who are legally allowed to vote. This lawsuit is merely an attempt to undo the restoration of rights to hundreds of thousands of Virginians who have had their civil rights restored by the Governor using his power under the Constitution. This looks like another partisan fight where Republicans are trying to thwart Governor McAuliffe from doing his job.- Del. Charniele Herring, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus
We stand with Governor McAuliffe by supporting the right to vote for those who have paid their debts to society, many of whom are African American. Virginia Republicans would rather sue than try to earn the support of new voters, and their true motivations are clear as they double down on efforts to preserve Jim Crow barriers to the polls. The hatred and demagoguery of the Party of Trump is at an all time high and as Virginia Republicans support the frontrunner, they must answer the question: Are we a society of second chances and redemption or are we not? Unfortunately, Virginia Republicans show no signs of letting up on their efforts to disenfranchise voters. - Evelyn Morris-Harris, Chair Democratic Black Caucus of Virginia
Since the election of President Obama in 2008, we have witnessed every scheme there is by Republicans to block voting rights," stated Senator Mamie Locke (D-Hampton), Chair of the Caucus. "Gerrymandering districts, voter identification laws, and blocking any effort at removing voting barriers and restrictions. Why not just try to earn the support of the new voters rather than demonize them? They have paid their debt to society. Are they supposed to pay forever? Do we not have a moral obligation to give second chances? – Virginia Legislative Black Caucus