In a news release, Norment said the automatic restorations would apply only to felons who have finished their sentences — including probation, parole and suspended sentence — and fully paid their fines, court costs and restitution.

Norment said he believes nonviolent felons “deserve a second chance.” And in an apparent jab at McAuliffe, whose efforts have suffered legal and logistical snags, Norment said, “There is only one right way to do it.”

“That right way requires an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia, approved by the General Assembly and the people of Virginia,” Norment said. Norment said he will seek to remove the executive branch from the process to ensure there will be no repeat of the “unnecessary drama” that has followed McAuliffe’s sweeping executive order on April 22.

McAuliffe, who has said he sees no reason to treat violent and nonviolent felons differently if they’ve done their time, rejected Norment’s proposal in strong terms.

In a written statement, the governor called the amendment a “step backward” because it would reinstate the requirement that felons pay fees and restitution before being eligible to vote. The governor eliminated that requirement in 2015. On Thursday, McAuliffe called it a “modern-day poll tax.”