RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia’s highest court has struck down Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s executive order restoring voting rights to more than 206,000 felons. The Supreme Court of Virginia issued the ruling declaring the order unconstitutional late Friday afternoon. In a 4-3 decision, the court says McAuliffe overstepped his clemency powers.
The executive order, issued in April, restored voting rights of felons who completed their sentences and also allowed them to run for public office, serve on a jury and become a notary public.
Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit challenging the order.
The court ordered the state to cancel the registration of all felons under the order. More than 11,000 felons have registered to vote under the action.
