Virginia Gov. Blames "Well-Meaning Staffer" for Latest Voting Rights Uproar

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (left) appears to be on his heels for the second time in two weeks. On Tuesday, we wrote about the controversial letters his administration sent last week to nonviolent felons who want their voting rights restored. Issued by Director of Rights Restoration Micah Womack — and subsequently defended by Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Polarek and Deputy Secretary Christie Heath — the letters informed Virginia ex-cons that they would face an additional hurdle when applying for re-enfranchisement: an essay requirement.

Now, though, Gov. McDonnell is back-pedaling away from that move, which looked disturbingly like the old southern-state literacy tests once used to keep African-American voters from the voting booth. The impression wasn't helped by the fact that felon disenfranchisement — a direct vestige of the Jim Crow era — already disproportionately disenfranchises black voters.

After a barrage of critical reports and a call to action answered by numerous Change.org readers, though, Gov. McDonnell says it was all a big understanding. The letters, he says, were sent out in error.

McDonnell's rush to blame "a well-meaning staffer" for the gaffe occurs in the wake of his recent apology for forgetting to mention slavery in his proclamation celebrating "Confederate History Month." So count 'em: that's twice in just over one week that Gov. McDonnell's insensitivity (or even hostility) to black history and communities ignited a firestorm from which he was later forced to retreat.

The disappointing thread that runs through both incidents is that McDonnell hasn't taken full responsibility in either response. Though he apologized for omitting slavery from his proclamation of "Confederate History Month," McDonnell still refuses to back down from honoring what he called "the sacrifices of the Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens during the period of the Civil War." And when it comes to his administration's effort to erect obstacles for ex-cons trying to participate in our democracy, McDonnell simply passes the buck — blaming an anonymous staffer. What's worse, McDonnell says making it harder for nonviolent felons to vote is still a policy under consideration.

McDonnell's aw shucks, oops is a huge victory for the Change.org community and others who work for and believe in effecting anti-racist change. But if this policy of continuing to disenfranchise disproportionately African-American voters is still being considered, clearly Bob McDonnell doesn't get it.

Let's send him a message once more. Tell Gov. McDonnell that passing the buck isn't good enough. Call Gov. McDonnell at (804) 786-2211 or email him here. Let him know what you think of his proposal to enact Jim Crow-era policies that function like literacy tests and punish those who have already served their time.

Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of Virginia