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119-sjres-186119th Congress

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to the fundamental right to vote.

Sponsored By: Senator Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Introduced

Summary

A new constitutional right to vote would guarantee every U.S. citizen of legal voting age the right to vote in any public election where they live. It would require that any denial or abridgment of that right advance a compelling governmental interest and be the least restrictive means, repeal the phrase "or other crime" from Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment, and give Congress power to enforce the article.

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  • Voters and households: All adult citizens would have a clear constitutional protection to vote in their jurisdiction's public elections, making it harder for state rules to justify broad limits.
  • People with criminal convictions: By removing the phrase "or other crime" from Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment, the amendment would eliminate that specific constitutional basis for restricting voting after a criminal conviction.
  • State and local officials and Congress: States and localities could only limit voting if they meet a strict "compelling interest" and use the least restrictive means. Congress would be able to pass laws to enforce and protect the new right.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More voting rights for U.S. citizens

If enacted, this amendment would give every U.S. citizen of legal voting age a right to vote where they live. Federal, state, or local governments would only deny or limit that right if the rule serves a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive way to do so. The amendment would remove the phrase "or other crime" from Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment. Congress would be able to pass laws to enforce and protect the right.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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