66,000 Felons Restored in Virginia, Including 'Betty No Last Name'

An executive citation issued to a Virginia felon listed only as "Betty No Last Name" has intensified scrutiny of the state's voting rights restoration program.

The document, obtained by Virginia Beach attorney Tim Anderson, identifies No Last Name as one of more than 66,000 Virginians who regained the right to vote, serve on juries, and seek public office under Gov. Abigail Spanberger's administration.

Anderson received the citation through a public records request to the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office. The order bears the signatures of Spanberger and Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon-King, despite the recipient's missing surname.

The discovery occurred after reports indicated that restoration notices had been mailed to individuals who are deceased. Anderson speculated that the documents were generated via mail merge and signed using an autopen, a process that conflicts with the language in the citations claiming individual review.

Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares criticized the process, noting the lack of a last name on the document. He questioned whether the administration's claimed individualized review of each case was factual.

The controversy arises ahead of a November 3 ballot measure that would make voting rights restoration automatic upon release from prison. State Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Chesterfield, called for an independent audit of the process and urged voters to reject the measure. Del. Wren Williams, R-Stuart, also weighed in on the issue.

A Chesapeake Sheriff's Office official confirmed the authenticity of the citation and provided a copy to reporters. Spanberger and Mundon-King have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the specific document.