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Eugene

(62,635 posts)
Tue Jul 19, 2016, 12:25 PM Jul 2016

Virginia high court hears Republican voting-rights lawsuit

Source: Reuters

Politics | Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:58am EDT

Virginia high court hears Republican voting-rights lawsuit

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA | BY GARY ROBERTSON

In a case that could have an impact on the November presidential election, the Virginia Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday over a Republican lawsuit challenging the blanket restoration of voting rights for 206,000 felons by Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe.

If upheld, McAuliffe's order could help tip Virginia, a swing state where the vote is traditionally close in presidential elections, in favor of presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Lawyers for leaders in the Republican-controlled state legislature argued that McAuliffe exceeded his authority by restoring voting rights en masse, rather than on a case-by-case basis.

"Never in Virginia's 240-year history has a governor exercised clemency power en masse," Charles Cooper, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told the court.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-virginia-felons-idUSKCN0ZZ0Z5
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