Target: Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe
Goal: Applaud restoration of voting rights for reformed felons.
More than 200,000 rehabilitated convicts have regained the right to vote as Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order restoring voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences. The move comes on the heels of mounting public pressure, as evidenced in petitions such as this one on ForceChange. Announcing the move, McAuliffe claimed, “Virginia will no longer build walls and barriers to the ballot box–we will break them down.”
The right to vote is one of the most essential principles of a democracy. Though prison is meant to punish criminals, it is also intended as a rehabilitation process. Criminals who serve their sentence, whether they are felons or otherwise, should not continue to be punished upon completing it. The restoration of these voting rights is an enormous victory, and Governor McAuliffe should be commended for his progressive stance. Sign the petition below to thank him for this recent executive order.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor McAuliffe,
I am writing to applaud your recent executive order which restores voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences. The right to vote is one of the most essential principles of a democracy, and your order ensures that these reformed convicts will no longer be punished after they have paid their debt to society.
Though prison is meant to punish criminals, it is also intended as a rehabilitation process. Criminals who serve their sentence, whether they are felons are otherwise, should not continue to be punished after being released. Thank you for taking such a progressive stance and allowing these citizens to vote once more.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Yaquina
Convicted murderers and rapists should not be allowed to vote regardless of their alleged rehabilitation.
Why not just allow them to be able to purchase explosives and firearms if they are so rehabilitated?