RICHMOND, Va. (TheBlaze/AP) -- Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has again restored the voting rights of about 13,000 felons after his previous attempt was blocked by the state's Supreme Court.
McAuliffe's announcement Monday came nearly a month after the court ruled that governors cannot restore rights en masse, but must handle them on a case-by-case basis. That ruling invalidated a previous executive order that had restored the voting rights of more than 200,000 felons who had completed their sentences.
"I believe in the power of second chances, and in the dignity and word of every human being," McAuliffe said.
Gov: “I believe in the power of second chances, and in the dignity and word of every human being” #VARoR
— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) August 22, 2016
“I have a duty to all Virginians & will not let them be condemned for eternity as inferior, 2nd class citizens," he added.
Gov: “I have a duty to all Virginians & will not let them be condemned for eternity as inferior, 2nd class citizens” #VARoR
— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) August 22, 2016
The roughly 13,000 people are those who had registered to vote before their rights were stripped away last month. McAuliffe said his administration processed each felon's paperwork individually to comply with the ruling.
Gov: “Moving forward, we will review each person w/ state agencies, & will personally review & restore eligible citizens” #VARoR
— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA)August 22, 2016
Republicans have accused McAuliffe of trying to add more Democrats to the voting rolls to aid presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in November.
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