VIRGINIA VOTERS
Our rights are on the ballot this fall.
This fall, we’ll have the opportunity to VOTE YES for three referendums that would amend the Virginia Constitution. In addition to voting for candidates to represent us in the U.S. Senate and in the House of Representative, VOTE YES for these referendums:
Protect Reproductive Freedom
The Reproductive Freedom Amendment would protect our freedom in Virginia to make reproductive health care decisions without fear of government interference or criminal punishment. It would amend the state constitution to ensure Virginians can make their own decisions about reproductive health care, from contraception to pregnancy and childbirth.
Affirm Marriage Equality
The Marriage Equality Amendment would remove an outdated ban from the Virginia Constitution and ensure that every Virginia family has the same rights, protections, and dignity, regardless of who they are or who they love. It would guarantee that marriage equality remains protected under the state constitution.
Restore Voting Rights
The Voting Rights Amendment would establish a state constitutional right to vote for all citizens who are not incarcerated for a felony. It would automatically restore voting rights to Virginians with felony convictions once they are no longer incarcerated, eliminating the need for additional paperwork.
HOW IS AN AMENDMENT ADDED TO THE CONSTITUTION?
All three resolutions were passed in the 2026 General Assembly Session.
To become the law, a majority of voters must vote YES on the ballot this fall.
PRE 2025 SESSION
Legislators and key stakeholders drafted a constitutional amendment. All constitutional amendments in Virginia begin as a legislative resolution that is introduced.
2025 SESSION
The General Assembly introduced and passed the resolution out of both chambers with a majority vote.
2025 ELECTION
The House of Delegates must retain a supportive majority after the November elections.
2026 SESSION
The General Assembly must introduce and pass the resolution a second time out of both chambers with a majority vote. They must also introduce and pass enabling legislation to add the question to the ballot in the next election.
2026 election
The majority of voters must vote “yes” on the ballot question in the general election inorder for the amendment to pass.
IMPLEMENTATION
The amendment is now the law and the practical process of carrying out, executing, and enforcing the law must be decided.
Why should these resolutions be added to the Virginia Constitution?
By embedding these rights in the Virginia Constitution, we can ensure long-term protections for current and future Virginians and provide a safeguard against political or legislative rollbacks.
Here’s the ballot language.
Protect Reproductive Rights
Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive?
VOTE YES.
Affirm Marriage Equality
Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law?
VOTE YES.
Right to Vote
Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting?
VOTE YES.
Get Involved!
For these referendums to pass this fall, it is critical that we inform Virginia voters about them and their importance to our rights.
A few campaigns are already up and running and need support and volunteers.
Click on the logos below to learn more about the organizations and their campaigns.
