# Virginia felon voting rights restoration

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/virginia-felon-voting-rights-restoration
> Updated: 2026-08-02T22:17:43.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced on July 31, 2026 that her administration had restored voting rights for more than 66,000 Virginians with felony convictions, using a streamlined online system that reversed the limited restorations under former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin.

A follow‑up report on August 2, 2026 reiterated the restoration, noting that the governor also reinstated jury service, candidacy and notary rights for the same group. The announcement referenced a recent removal of over 6,500 non‑citizens from voter rolls and highlighted an upcoming November referendum that would automatically restore voting rights to felons upon release.

Both releases frame the action as a response to the prior administration’s restrictive policy and as part of broader electoral reforms pending voter‑rights amendment.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-02: Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger Restores Voting Rights for 66,000 Felons

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger restored voting, jury and candidacy rights to over 66,000 felons, reversing a slowdown under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin and preceding a referendum on automatic restoration.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/virginia-governor-abigail-spanberger-restores-voting-rights-for-66000-felons

### 2026-07-31: Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger restores voting rights to 66,000 former felons

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger restored voting rights for over 66,000 felons, reversing former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s restrictive policy ahead of a November referendum on automatic restoration.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/virginia-governor-abigail-spanberger-restores-voting-rights-to-66000-former-felons

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Cite as: Virginia felon voting rights restoration. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/virginia-felon-voting-rights-restoration