RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Black lawmakers in Virginia are criticizing Republicans for filing a lawsuit that attempts to prevent more than 200,000 felons from voting in November.
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is planning to hold several rallies this month to oppose the GOP lawsuit and show their support for Gov. Terry McAuliffe's executive order that restored voting rights for 206,000 felons who have completed their sentences. The caucus will be joined by the Virginia State Conference NAACP, Virginia AFL-CIO, the ACLU of Virginia and the New Virginia Majority.
Republicans asked the Virginia Supreme Court to reverse McAuliffe's order, saying governors can restore voting rights only on a case-by-case basis.
Linda Thomas, president of the Virginia State Conference NAACP, said the groups will continue to fight the "systemic erosion of enfranchisement."
