Virginia may be a great state for lovers, but it's not a particular good one for second chances. Ours is one of only four states in the nation that permanently restrict the voting rights of people who have been convicted of felonies, even if the crimes did not involve violence.

Many of these individuals are tax-paying citizens who have jobs and serve their communities. They have been punished for their offenses and have paid their fines. Yet they are disenfranchised for life from exercising of one of the most fundamental rights as Americans.

Currently a person wishing to have voting privileges restored must go through a cumbersome process of petitioning the governor, who then decides on a case-by-case basis whether the petitions have merit. The application seeks information about work and activities but ignores another uncomfortable reality about being branded with a felony conviction: finding a job can be difficult. For example, should the felon who is hired by an understanding relative have a greater right to vote than one who can't get such a break?

On Monday, a Virginia House of Delegates panel effectively killed two versions of constitutional amendments aimed at restoring voting rights to convicted felons after they have served their sentences. Gov. Bob McDonnell's proposal would have restored rights automatically to nonviolent felons; another version would have restored rights to all felons who have served their time.

In a state that prides itself as being the birthplace of democracy, it is hypocritical if not tyrannical to place further obstacles in the path of those who have come clean and want to participate in the electoral process. If we continue to treat people like criminals after they are free, they are more likely to behave like criminals. When past offenders become contributing members of society with connections to their communities, they are less likely to return to crime. Because voting rights are an important part of that connection, they should be restored for people who have paid their debts to society, at least for nonviolent offenses.

And because this involves expansion of a fundamental right, it is appropriate to amend the Virginia Constitution to secure it for future generations.