Maculae’s action was likely illegal. While a governor can pardon criminals and thus restore all of their civil rights, he cannot restore those rights piecemeal. He knows this, but believes that if the republicans sue to prevent the felons from voting, that this will play into the dem narrative of republican “vote suppression” of blacks. He’s a creep and was a central figure in the “Global Crossing” scandal, where he reportedly parlayed a 100k investment into 18 million dollars just before the company went bankrupt. He is the formed DNC chair, and former head of the 2008 HRC presidential campaign.
sp: McAuliffe
...as well as a business partner of then RNC chairman, Haley Barbour, in the Washington DC restaurant, "The Caucus Room". An expensive gathering place on Capitol Hill, much favored by lobbyists in wooing the votes of congress critters.