Christian Science Monitor: on Crime

Larry Hogan: Vetoed expansion of voting rights to 40,000 ex-offenders

But the policies have been controversial and provoked a partisan divide. Last December, newly elected Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) reversed an executive order by his Democratic predecessor to grant voting rights to ex-felons in the state once they had completed their sentences. Governor Bevin framed his opposition to the executive order signed by then-Gov. Steve Beshear (D) on procedural rather than ideological terms.

Matt Bevin: Overturn voting rights to ex-felons who completed sentences

But the policies have been controversial and provoked a partisan divide. Last December, newly elected Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) reversed an executive order by his Democratic predecessor to grant voting rights to ex-felons in the state once they had completed their sentences. Governor Bevin framed his opposition to the executive order signed by then-Gov. Steve Beshear (D) on procedural rather than ideological terms. "While I have been a vocal supporter of the restoration of rights, for example, it is an issue that must be addressed through the legislature and by the will of the people," he said in a statement.

Steve Beshear: Grant voting rights to ex-felons who completed sentences

But the policies have been controversial and provoked a partisan divide. Last December, newly elected Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) reversed an executive order by his Democratic predecessor to grant voting rights to ex-felons in the state once they had completed their sentences. Governor Bevin framed his opposition to the executive order signed by then-Gov. Steve Beshear (D) on procedural rather than ideological terms. "While I have been a vocal supporter of the restoration of rights, for example, it is an issue that must be addressed through the legislature and by the will of the people," he said in a statement.

Terry McAuliffe: Grant 200,000 convicted felons the right to vote

The move expands voting rights to every Virginia felon who has completed their sentences and any supervised release, parole, or probation. It will also allow ex-offenders to run for public office, to serve on a jury, and to become a notary public.

The denial of rights has a particularly bitter history in Virginia, which is seen as a crucial swing state, the governor says: "Too often in both our distant and recent history, politicians have used their authority to restrict people's ability to participate in our democracy," he said. "Today we are reversing that disturbing trend." In Virginia, 1 in 5 African-Americans is disenfranchised, according to the Sentencing Project.