The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy. Everyone deserves this right. Without it, our government will never truly represent the people it is meant to serve.

Virginia is one of only two states that still has a Jim Crow-era law banning anyone convicted of a felony from voting for the rest of their lives, unless the governor decides to restore an individual’s rights. This provision was enacted in Virginia’s 1902 constitution explicitly to stop Black Virginians from voting. To overturn it, we need a constitutional amendment.

We have made significant progress in other areas to increase access to the ballot box:

  • We lobbied to pass same-day voter registration and no-excuse absentee voting in 2020, taking Virginia from the second most difficult state in which to vote into the top half of states with expanded voting access.
  • We’ve successfully challenged unconstitutional attempts to gerrymander election districts and dilute the voting power of Black communities for decades.
  • We joined the League of Women Voters to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic did not prevent vulnerable people from casting a ballot.

While Virginia has made voting easier and more accessible in recent years, those gains have been met with fierce backlash. Voting should be a right for all – a right that cannot be taken away or used as a tool for elected officials to pick and choose their constituents.

MAKE A DONATION today or BECOME A MEMBER to help secure the right to vote for all.

SHEBA'S STORY

Sheba Williams, the founder of Nolef Turns Inc., was wrongfully convicted of a felony in 2004 and served five years in prison. After her release – despite her degree in business management and hardworking spirit – she struggled to find a job in her field because of her conviction.

Like the hundreds of thousands of other Virginians with felony convictions, Sheba also could not vote. Her right to vote was restored by Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2015, but it should never have been taken away in the first place.

That’s why Sheba founded Nolef Turns: to help other people with felony convictions get access to basic rights and needs, like voting, housing and jobs. She tirelessly advocates for people who are formerly incarcerated and pushes for more compassionate laws that prioritize people over prisons.

Quick Facts

  • 1Virginia has same-day voter registration.
  • 2There was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the Virginia 2020 General Election, according to the Office of the Attorney General.
  • 3A 2021 ACLU poll showed that two-thirds of Virginians support a guaranteed right to vote for all citizens 18 and over.

Stay informed

I live in Virginia. What are my rights as a voter and how do I register?

A.I live in Virginia. What are my rights as a voter and how do I register?

A.

Virginia residents may register online, in person, or by mail before each Election Day’s registration deadline. Residents may also register in person on Election Day at their polling place, but they will only be able to cast a provisional ballot while election officials verify their voter registration application.

Learn more here.

Does Virginia require me to have a voter ID to cast my ballot?

A.Does Virginia require me to have a voter ID to cast my ballot?

A.

You do not need a photo ID, but you must provide an approved form of identification, which can include a:

  • Voter registration card
  • Bank statement
  • Utility bill
  • Paycheck
  • Student ID
  • Any government document that shows your name and address
  • DMV-issued ID, passport, or driver's license

Check out the full ID requirements here.

I was formerly incarcerated. Am I eligible to have my voting rights restored?

A.I was formerly incarcerated. Am I eligible to have my voting rights restored?

A.

Yes. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor charge, your right to vote was never taken away, and you can vote while incarcerated. Call your local registrar or check here for your voter registration status. 

If you were convicted of a felony, visit www.restore.virginia.gov to check your voting rights status and apply for restoration of your rights. Currently, the governor of Virginia has the sole power to restore your voting rights, and each governor can set different criteria or deny all applications. We must pass a constitutional amendment to ensure the right to vote for all.

The Latest