First Day Shutdown


By: Christine Brady

In the year 2000, the state of Virginia passed legislation which was alike this proposed bill. It had the same requirements as this MGA bill does. Both pieces of legislation add a two-year waiting period after completion of the sentence before said felons are allowed to reregister to vote.
Faith Christian High School brought a bill to MGA this year concerning restoring the voting rights of convicted felons. This bill restores voting rights to felons who have convicted non-violent felonies, have completed their full sentence, have completed their parole or probation, and have paid their full amount in court fees. The bill was very controversial during the Old Dominion House Transportation Committee meeting last night. During this meeting, lobbyist Breece Walker from YMCA Arlington, proved the bill to be unconstitutional because in the Virginia Constitution it reads: “no person who has been convicted of a felony shall be qualified to vote unless his civil rights have been restored by the Governor.” 

MGA is a special place for high schoolers to learn and discuss politics in a healthy environment. Some bills are derived from past Virginia legislation but subtle changes are added. Proposed bill No. 73 and The Restoration of Civil Rights bill laid out in chapter 12.1 of Virginia’s Legislation is one of those very similar bills. There are a handful of bills that are shut down within the first set of committee meetings at MGA. This was not the first, and it will not be the last. 

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