Governor Abigail Spanberger of Virginia stood at the Lincoln Memorial on August 31, 2026, among a group of national leaders to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the historic 1963 March on Washington. During the event, she made a significant announcement that would impact the lives of 100,000 formerly-incarcerated state residents by restoring their voting rights.
In a powerful speech that highlighted the ongoing struggle for civil rights and voting rights, Spanberger emphasized the importance of every voice in the democratic process. She noted that Virginia had made progress in ensuring that every eligible resident could vote, and she urged Virginians to exercise their right to vote.
Spanberger also revealed that her administration had restored the voting rights of 100,000 individuals who had previously been convicted of felonies. This move came after she had previously restored the voting rights of 66,000 Virginians. She highlighted that Virginia was one of only three states with a constitution that permanently strips voting rights from citizens with felony convictions.
"The right to vote is about more than a ballot—it is about whether we believe every person should have a voice in our democracy, and I do," Spanberger said. "It is about whether we believe our fellow citizens deserve the dignity of being heard, and I do."
Spanberger's speech was a poignant reminder of the state's history with civil rights. She referenced the Freedom Riders' first stop in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the birthplace of civil rights leader Dorothy Height in Richmond, and the election of L. Douglas Wilder as the first Black governor in the United States.
Spanberger also celebrated the recent achievements of Virginia, including the election of a record number of Black legislators, the first Black Speaker of the House, the first Black Attorney General, the nation's first Muslim woman to statewide office as Lieutenant Governor, and the first woman Governor.
Despite these advancements, Spanberger acknowledged that the struggle for voting rights continues. She cited the dismantling of protections by the United States Supreme Court under the Voting Rights Act and the efforts of states to make voting more difficult. She also criticized the President and a complicit Congress for using lies to undermine American democracy and prevent citizens from voting.
Spanberger's speech was a call to action for all Virginians to stand up for their rights and to remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for civil rights and voting rights in the past. "Make no mistake, that system—that process—is a shameful relic of Virginia's Jim Crow past," she said. "In our democracy, our vote is how we make our voices heard. And the proof of that is in the fact that people have worked so hard throughout history to deny others the vote—to silence their voices."
Spanberger's commitment to restoring voting rights and her passionate defense of civil rights and voting rights were met with applause and cheers from the audience. Her speech serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in America.
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