RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia NAACP has unveiled its legislative agenda for the upcoming 2024 General Assembly session, placing a strong emphasis on ensuring voting access for all citizens. One of their top priorities is House-Senate Joint Resolution 2, a bill that seeks to automatically restore voting rights to individuals who were previously incarcerated upon their release.
Tyee Mallory, the legislative coordinator for the Virginia NAACP, highlighted the significance of this bill during a recent press conference. He explained that it has been a flagship proposal for the organization over the past three years. The bill, if passed, would amend Virginia’s constitution to facilitate the restoration of voting rights for those with prior convictions, except for individuals adjudicated to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting.
In addition to their focus on voting access, the Virginia NAACP is advocating for other measures to enhance democratic participation. They are calling for the implementation of mandatory Sunday voting and for the pre-registration of future voters at the age of 16, with the aim of fostering a lifelong habit of voting among young people.
During the press conference, the Virginia NAACP expressed their opposition to House Bill 44, which aims to reduce the early voting period from 45 days to 30 days. Gaylene Kanoyton, the vice president of the Virginia NAACP’s region I and its political action chair, voiced concerns about limiting voting rights after they have been granted.
The organization’s legislative agenda also covers a range of other important issues. They are advocating for improvements to healthcare, education, and criminal justice reform. The Virginia NAACP is committed to fighting against any attempts to censor or undermine Black history. They seek to address biases in sentencing Black individuals, combat racial profiling in policing, and challenge unfairness within the court system, particularly when it comes to juveniles.
Furthermore, the Virginia NAACP supports the implementation of common sense gun legislation, including comprehensive background checks and the prohibition of assault weapons’ sale and transport. Given recent events, the organization also places an emphasis on safe storage bills.
Alongside their efforts to support the Black community, the Virginia NAACP has expressed support for HJ 1, a proposal that would enshrine access to abortions within the state constitution. They are actively advocating for protections for the LGBTQ+ community as well.
The Virginia NAACP’s legislative agenda demonstrates a strong commitment to securing voting rights and promoting equity within various aspects of society. With their priorities set, they will be working diligently to ensure that their proposals receive due attention and consideration during the 2024 General Assembly session.
