Almost 70,000 Virginians are immediately regaining the right to vote, serve on a jury, run for office, and even serve as a notary public.

Only Maine and Vermont currently allow incarcerated felons to vote, and D.C. is now the first place in the country to change its law to allow it.

More than 11,000 people had already signed up to vote.

More than three quarters are men. Just 20 percent were violent offenders. And African Americans are disproportionately represented.

“If we are going to build a stronger and more equal Virginia, we must break down barriers to participation in civic life for people who return to society seeking a second chance,” McAuliffe said.

Late last year Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell restored the voting rights of a certain Scooter Libby. Remember him?

Should elected officials who are convicted of felonies and kicked out of office be able to run again? That question has provoked debate between a top city official and the D.C. Board of Elections.

A charter amendment that would ban elected officials who are convicted for a felony while in office from serving again is starting its slow journey toward a November vote.