Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is restoring the voting rights of more than 200,000 convicted felons in the state.
The sweeping action announced by the Democratic governor Friday will allow former felons who have completed their sentences to register to vote in Virginia this year.
"We benefit from a more just and accountable government when we put trust in all of our citizens to choose their leaders," McAuliffe said Friday from the steps of the state Capitol, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "It has taken Virginia many centuries, unfortunately, to learn this lesson. But today, we celebrate its truth."
McAuliffe has made the restoration of rights of former convicts a priority of his administration and the action has the potential to expand the state's voter rolls — which is currently estimated at 5.4 percent — by as much as 3.8 percent.
Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton took to Twitter, praising McAuliffe on the move:
According to
The Hill, Virginia will be a battleground state in the upcoming presidential election.
Not only has McAulliffe been a long-time ally of Clinton and served as chairman of her campaign in 2008, but the state of Virginia holds a record for leaning Democrat — President Obama won in both 2008 and 2012.
Newsmax reporter Loren Gutentag contributed to this report.
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