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Bill

SB 162

Voter registration; restoration of political rights upon release from incarceration.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mamie Locke

SB 162 automatically restores voting rights to individuals upon release from incarceration in Virginia, eliminating separate application requirements for formerly incarcerated citizens.

Governor's recommendation received by Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 162

Legislative bill overview

SB 162 would automatically restore voting rights to individuals upon their release from incarceration in Virginia, rather than requiring a separate application or waiting period. The bill aims to streamline re-enfranchisement for formerly incarcerated people who have completed their sentences.

Why is this important

Approximately 360,000 Virginians are currently disenfranchised due to prior convictions. Automatic restoration upon release would remove administrative barriers to voting and affect civic participation rates among a substantial portion of the population. This touches on questions of rehabilitation, citizenship status, and electoral access.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of restoration: Whether the automatic restoration applies to all felonies or only certain convictions, and how it aligns with existing Virginia law on rights restoration
  • Implementation costs and logistics: The fiscal impact statement and Finance Committee referral suggest concerns about administrative burden and costs to implement automatic registration systems
  • Philosophical disagreement: Debate over whether voting rights should be tied to sentence completion versus other measures of rehabilitation or public safety concerns

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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