VirginiaHB9632026 Regular SessionHouse

Constitutional amendment; qualifications of voters, right to vote, persons not entitled to vote.

Sponsored By: Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); qualifications of voters; right to vote; persons not entitled to vote. Provides for a referendum at the November 3, 2026, general election to approve or reject an amendment that would provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, 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 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. This bill is identical to SB 6.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Virginia voting rights and restorations

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Constitution protects a fundamental right to vote for U.S. citizens who are 18 or older, meet Virginia residence rules, and are registered. People convicted of a felony cannot vote while incarcerated for that felony. When they are released, all political rights, including voting, return automatically. A person a court finds lacks the capacity to understand voting cannot vote during that time. Their voting rights are restored when capacity is legally reestablished.

Easier voting for movers and youth

Beginning January 1, 2027, anyone who will be old enough by the next general election can register early and vote in primaries or special elections before that general election. The Constitution lets the General Assembly set rules so overseas employees and their spouses and dependents who gave up a Virginia home can vote here while abroad. It also lets the General Assembly allow people who move within Virginia to vote in their old precinct for a limited time and offer alternatives to registration for new residents in presidential elections.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marcia S. "Cia" Price

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 108 • No: 66

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 7 • No: 6

House vote 1/29/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 65 • No: 34

House vote 1/23/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 15 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB963)

    2/11/2026House
  2. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0004)

    2/6/2026Governor
  3. Approved by Governor-Chapter 4 (effective July 1, 2026)

    2/6/2026Governor
  4. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB963ER)

    2/4/2026House
  5. Enrolled

    2/4/2026House
  6. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., February 11, 2026

    2/4/2026Governor
  7. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 04, 2026

    2/4/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    2/4/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/4/2026House
  10. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    2/2/2026Senate
  12. Reported from Privileges and Elections (7-Y 6-N)

    1/30/2026Senate
  13. Read second time

    1/30/2026Senate
  14. Read third time and passed House (65-Y 34-N 0-A)

    1/29/2026House
  15. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    1/29/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    1/29/2026Senate
  17. Read second time and engrossed

    1/28/2026House
  18. Read first time

    1/27/2026House
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB963)

    1/27/2026House
  20. Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 7-N)

    1/23/2026House
  21. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    1/13/2026House
  22. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100137D

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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