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Committee advances HJ2 to restore voting rights automatically after incarceration
Summary
House Joint Resolution 2, proposing automatic restoration of voting rights for people with felony convictions upon release and strengthened protections for voters with disabilities, was reported out of committee after supporters (including returning citizens and civil‑rights groups) testified; committee vote 15–6.
Delegate Bennett Parker described HJ2 as creating an affirmative fundamental right to vote and providing for automatic restoration of political rights once a person with a felony conviction is released from incarceration. The patron framed the amendment as correcting an opaque, discretionary system that currently requires individual petitions to the governor.
Multiple returning citizens and advocacy groups—including representatives of New Virginia Majority, ACLU of Virginia, Virginia League of Conservation Voters and the Virginia Catholic Conference—testified in favor, arguing that restoration aids reentry, reduces recidivism and promotes civic inclusion. Testimony included personal accounts from individuals whose rights were later restored and advocacy statements urging a consistent, transparent rule.
Opponents questioned the absence of explicit restitution or probation‑completion requirements and raised concerns about whether some violent offenders should be excluded. Dr. Michael Huffman and others argued the draft fails to require victims’ restitution before restoration. Patrons responded that conditioning voting rights on ability to pay court debt creates a modern poll tax and that restoration supports reintegration.
After questions and discussion, a motion to report HJ2 was made, seconded and the committee recorded a roll vote. HJ2 was reported to the floor on a vote of 15–6.
