RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Republican lawmakers in Virginia say they plan to file a lawsuit challenging Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s action allowing more than 200,000 convicted felons to vote in November. GOP leaders announced Monday that they have hired an attorney and will contest the governor’s executive order, which restored the rights of felons to vote, run for office and sit on a jury. Republicans have called the governor’s action a political ploy designed to help his friend and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton win votes in November. Senate Majority Leader Thomas Norment said they cannot let McAuliffe’s “flagrant disregard” for the Virginia Constitution to go unchecked. The lawmakers didn’t say when they would file their lawsuit. McAuliffe has said people who have served their time should be given a second chance.
