Lawsuit Challenging Virginia Governor's Arbitrary denial of the Right To Vote is a step toward JUSTICE

“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and should be accessible to every eligible resident.

- Marc H. Morial

It has been proven that participating in the civic process--reduces recidivism, and individuals take pride in their communities when they can fully contribute to Virginia. True democracy does not deprive individuals of participation based on the whim of one individual. It's time to correct the wrongs of our 1902 Constitution, and leave the power to one succinct process that cannot be modified by a single person's emotions in the moment.” -- Sheba Williams, Executive Director, Nolef Turns

Felony disenfranchisement is undeniably rooted in white supremacy. In order to be admitted to the Union after the Civil War, the former Confederate states were required to ratify the 14th Amendment, which guaranteed the privileges of citizenship – including the right to vote – to formerly enslaved Americans. Prohibited by federal law from barring Black voters, southern states quickly enacted measures known as the Black Codes, establishing severe penalties for minor and vaguely defined crimes like vagrancy. At the same time, these states rushed to prohibit anyone with a felony conviction from voting.

As a result of this racist legacy, one in 19 Black Americans of voting age-- is disenfranchised, a rate 3.5 times that of all other Americans.