A press release from the Wagner for LG campaign:
BLACK CAUCUS MEMBERS CRITICIZE SIGNER RESTORATION STANCE
WAGNER PROPOSAL PRAISED BY DEL. ALEXANDER; SEN. LUCASToday, members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus expressed profound disappointment with Lt. Governor candidate Mike Signer’s proposal of a mandatory waiting period for the restoration of voting rights. The statements follow Signer’s repeated insistence that Virginians who have served their time should be subject to another year without voting rights, instead of immediate restoration upon the completion of the sentence, probation or parole.
“We’re very disappointed with Mike Signer’s proposal of a mandatory waiting period. It is baffling that for weeks he has claimed to be a leader on this issue, but in reality, he is alone among both of his opponents and all three Democratic candidates for Governor in calling for a mandatory waiting period for the restoration of voting rights. As proud Virginia Democrats, we staunchly believe that once a Virginian has served his or her time, they deserve to have their rights restored immediately,” said Senator Mamie Locke.
In a video posted by the campaign, and in a recent interview on the Blue Commonwealth blog, Signer promoted his plan to mandate that Virginians who have completed their sentence wait one year before having their voting rights restored. As part of his rationale, Signer claims that his plan will cut back on recidivism and that is necessary to placate conservative members of the General Assembly. Signer’s plan, however, would place Virginia behind 35 other states in terms of progressive policies on voting rights restoration.
Lt. Gov. candidate Jody Wagner has called for immediate restoration of voting rights for all ex-felons upon completion of their sentence. She does not believe that Virginians who have completed their debt to society should prove themselves for a year before having their voting rights restored, nor does she believe we should play politics with this issue.
“Many of us have fought for years to overturn the continued disfranchisement of hundreds of thousands of Virginia’s citizens. I am excited to support Jody Wagner’s plan to bring Virginia in line with the majority of the country, including our neighboring states, by automatically restoring voting rights to individuals who have paid their debt to society. Freeing Virginia from this vestige of Jim Crow requires real progressive action. We stand behind Jody’s commitment to fight for automatic restoration,” said Del. Kenneth C. Alexander, Chairman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.
Senator Louise Lucas said: “I applaud Jody Wagner on taking a strong stand for civil rights by endorsing the automatic restoration of rights for restored citizens. Jody and our other Democratic leaders are standing up for justice, and we hope Mike Signer will reconsider his opinion on this issue, which affects so many Virginians.”
Have to say I’m with the LGBC on this one. Automatic restoration of voting rights is an important part of the process, something that other states have embraced and, unless I’ve completely missed it, without incident. I do hope that Signer reconsiders his stance on this.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Signer was the only person talking about this issue a month ago. He’s clearly played his cards poorly if he’s now trailing the Wagner campaign and all the Gubernatorials on this, especially as Wagner has run a very safe, conservative campaign so far.
Actually, some of us have been talking about it for much longer than that (it was a part of my Legislative Agenda in 2008). But you’re right – the campaigns haven’t been talking about it. And Signer needs to get right on the issue.
is the black caucus endorsing Jody Wagner??
I don’t think the Black Caucus is endorsing anyone in the primary. The individual members have made endorsements but not the Caucus itself.