On Tuesday, May 27, 2014, Clovia Lawrence, founder of Rolling For Freedom hosted a Restoration of Rights Workshop and Seminar at the Richmond City Jail with special guests Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney and Voter Registration Coordinator for the State Board of Elections, Garry Ellis. Over 200 inmates attended the workshop and seminar to get updated on new changes to the restoration of rights process and new voter laws in Virginia. Many filled out applications to vote by absentee for the June 10 primary.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney is the first secretary to visit the Richmond City Jail.
In Virginia, offenders lose their right to vote, run or hold public office, serve on a jury, and serve as a notary public if convicted of a felony, violent offense, crime against a minor, or an election law. Historically, the process to have rights restored has been long and agonizing, and often acted as a deterrent to even begin the process. However, under former Governor Bob McDonnell, efforts were initiated to streamline and speed up the process for offenders’ rights to be restored after incarceration. Governor Terry McAuliff has continued the momentum by decreasing the time violent offenders must wait to seek reinstatement of their rights. McAuliffe has also removed drug offenses from the list of violent offenses, thus drug offenders are able to begin the process even sooner. Such initiatives have enabled the McAuliffe Administration to grant 1,235 Restoration of Rights petitions to date.
The seminar provided residents with the opportunity to understand the process and tthe recent changes, as well as, encourage them to register to vote if currently eligible or begin the restoration process upon release. Secretary Stoney discussed the new changes to the process, including eligibility, wait period, and violent offenses. My team, Rolling for Freedom, a bipartisan organization that provides voter registration, education, empowerment, and assistance with the restoration of rights process for ex-felons, talked about the upcoming primary and midterm congressional elections and assisted eligible inmates with filling out the absentee application. Garry Ellis, State Board of Elections, presented the new voter ID laws and mandatory photo ID to vote.
Speaking on this, Sheriff Woody commented, “As we continue to increase programming availability for residents of the jail to better prepare them for re-entry into the community, I am exicted to host the jail’s first seminar focusing on restoration of rights. Secretary Stoney, Ms. Lawrence, and Mr. Ellis provided information that will empower and encourage residents as they transition from llife behind bars to law abiding and changed citizens in our community. Any information we can present to our residents provides more opportunity for rehabilitation and growth -after all, knowledge is power and power is knowledge. I thank our friends for coming to the jail and spending their time to help better our residents.”
Stay viewing for Rolling for Freedom ‘rolling rally stops’ across Virginia. Next stop, Saturday, June 7 at 3900 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond VA 23227. Event time 10am-12pm
Community Clo Hosts 1st Restoration of Rights Rally At City Jail was originally published on kissrichmond.com
