Richmond, VA - New Virginia Majority Applauds Governor Northam’s Efforts Towards Voting Rights Restoration. The right to vote and to choose our leaders is a fundamental foundation of this country, and today we applaud Governor Ralph Northam for making strides to ensure that more people who have been caught up in our criminal legal system are eligible to have their rights restored. Today, an additional 69,000 formerly incarcerated Virginians are now eligible to vote.

New Virginia Majority and organizers across the Commonwealth have worked to encourage our elected officials to pass a constitutional amendment that will properly support the formerly incarcerated for over a decade, and the Virginia legislature made the first steps to change Virginia’s constitution by passing SJ 272 and HJ 555. 

“Governor Northam’s announcement today is a reflection of this country’s founding principles - a government of, for and by the people,” said Tram Nguyen, co-executive director. “Our democracy is strongest when we all have the opportunity to participate, and our communities are stronger and safer for it.”   

Now is the time to make sure that everyone has the right to vote and participate in democracy, regardless of their past mistakes or a deeply flawed legal system.

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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color, in immigrant communities, among LGBTQ people, women, youth, and progressives across the Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political education, mobilization and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is just, democratic and environmentally sustainable. For more information, visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @NewVAMajority.