A Virginia state lawmaker is demanding an investigation into the administration of Gov. Abigail Spanberger after an official certificate restoring voting and jury rights was mailed to a pet dog that died five years ago.
Del. Tom Garrett, R-Buckingham, called for an independent audit after receiving the document from a constituent in Goochland County. The certificate was addressed to Biscuit, a beagle-hound mix that passed away roughly half a decade ago, Fox News Digital reported. The paperwork featured the governor’s signature stating that executive officials had evaluated the details of the criminal case and approved the restoration of civil rights.
Lawmaker Demands Independent Review
Garrett said the incident raises serious concerns regarding the vetting procedures used by the executive branch. In statements reported by Fox News Digital and the New York Post, Garrett emphasized that his inquiry focuses on administrative oversight rather than whether former convicts deserve a second chance.
“Biscuit was a dog. Biscuit has been dead for five years. Yet an official document bearing the governor’s signature says the executive reviewed the particulars of Biscuit’s criminal case and determined her rights should be restored,” Garrett said. “Virginians deserve an explanation for how that is possible.”
The pet owner, who asked not to be named publicly to prevent political backlash, verified the certificate to Fox News Digital. The owner stated that Biscuit had never been convicted of a felony or expressed interest in voting, adding that the animal had never been placed in a municipal pound or had contact with state agencies.
A spokesperson for Spanberger denied that any animal was granted civil privileges, telling Fox News Digital: “Of course we did not restore the rights of a dog. We cannot disclose this individual’s information, but we can tell you that it is associated with a person with a date of birth and Social Security number.” The governor’s office did not provide further explanation about how the pet’s name appeared on the mailer.
Clash Ahead of Tuesday Ballot Measure
The controversy emerged only days before Virginia voters head to the polls on Tuesday to consider a constitutional amendment. If approved by voters, the ballot measure would automatically restore voting privileges to individuals with felony convictions immediately upon their release from incarceration, according to reporting by Stateline. Under the existing state constitution, the governor or another designated authority must approve the restoration of civil rights.
Spanberger’s administration announced in August that it had restored rights to 100,000 Virginians since the Democratic governor took office in January, rising from an earlier tally of 66,000. Garrett noted that the administration previously said Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon-King was actively vetting and verifying candidate files.
The incident follows another recent clerical dispute involving a restoration certificate mailed to a recipient listed as “Betty No Last Name” in Chesapeake, local television station WSET reported. Addressing that incident during an appearance in Lynchburg, Spanberger acknowledged administrative responsibility, explaining that the issue stemmed from a spreadsheet merge error while printing letters for an individual whose full identity and Social Security number were on file.
Garrett, who also practices law in Fluvanna County, has urged state authorities to preserve digital records and investigate how many erroneous or duplicate notices may have been printed, leaving unanswered questions about state vetting protocols ahead of Tuesday’s election.
