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Notes: Virginia reinstating voters purged by computer error

By ALXnow.com

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

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🚨 You need to know

Voters participate in the Super Tuesday primary at Mount Vernon Community School, March 3, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Roughly 3,400 people are having their voting rights reinstated after the Virginia Department of Elections (ELECT) incorrectly removed them.

The computer error impacted Virginians previously convicted of felonies but had their rights restored. Virginia’s Constitution includes a Jim Crow Era policy that strips convicted felons of the right to cast ballots, serve on juries or run for office unless the governor restores their rights, DCist wrote.

Those who had their rights taken away were previously convicted felons whose rights had been restored but had since had probation violations, such as missing a court date, which the computer system incorrectly classified as a new felony.

The error comes nearly one week ahead of Virginia’s General assembly elections on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

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