Of a total 1,080 applications—some incomplete, others submitted earlier than Virginia law permits—Governor Bob McDonnell approved the applications of 506 convicted felons who petitioned for the restoration of their voting rights. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that 650 of the applications submitted were leftovers from the administration of former Governor Tim Kaine.
After civil liberties groups cried foul in April over a proposal to make nonviolent felons submit an essay as part of their application, McDonnell nixed the essay idea and announced in May that his administration would respond to completed applications within 60 days or less—a deadline he met with his recent announcement.