The Virginia Supreme Court is expected to have a special session next mont to hear a lawsuit challenging the Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s action to restore voting rights in the state to over 200,000 convicted felons. The governor will not release the list of these individuals to the public.
According to The Richmond Times Dispatch, Republicans in the state’s General Assembly aimed for their case to be decided by August 25 to avoid “casting doubt on the legitimacy” of the upcoming November elections.
House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell, a plaintiff in the case, said in a statement to The Dispatch Wednesday: “We are pleased the Supreme Court recognizes the urgency of our challenge to Governor McAuliffe’s unprecedented and unconstitutional expansion of executive power.”
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring did not oppose a special session but asked the court not to rush the case by scheduling arguments in early June. Herring argued Republicans had a month to ready their lawsuit to an order that took effect on April 22.
The governor’s order also gives felons the right to serve on juries, hold public office and notarize documents. According to The Dispatch, as of Wednesday morning, 5,816 people had registered to vote as a result of the McAuliffe’s order.