All Roll Calls
Yes: 212 • No: 99
Sponsored By: Mamie E. Locke (Democratic)
Became Law
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 HB 963.
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3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Beginning January 1, 2027, Virginia’s Constitution declares voting a fundamental right for eligible voters. You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18, meet residence rules, and be registered. If you are incarcerated for a felony, you cannot vote; your rights return automatically when you are released. If a court finds you lack the capacity to understand voting, you cannot vote until capacity is restored as set by law. To qualify, you must have both a domicile and a place of abode in Virginia and in your voting precinct.
Beginning January 1, 2027, Virginia allows more ways to vote for certain groups. If you will be 18 by the next general election, you can register early and vote in primaries or special elections before then. The General Assembly can also let Virginians employed overseas, and their spouses and dependents living with them, vote in Virginia under rules and time limits set by law. It can let recent movers keep voting in their old precinct for a limited time. It can set alternatives to registration for new residents in presidential elections.
The amendment takes effect January 1, 2027, following voter approval. That is when the new voting rights and options begin to apply.
Mamie E. Locke
Democratic • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 212 • No: 99
House vote • 2/2/2026
Passed House
Yes: 65 • No: 34
House vote • 2/2/2026
Passed House
Yes: 64 • No: 34
House vote • 1/30/2026
Reported from Privileges and Elections
Yes: 15 • No: 7
Senate vote • 1/26/2026
Read third time and passed Senate
Yes: 21 • No: 17
Senate vote • 1/23/2026
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/22/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/22/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/20/2026
Reported from Privileges and Elections
Yes: 8 • No: 7
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB6)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0005)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 5 (effective July 1, 2026)
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB6ER)
Enrolled
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., February 11, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 04, 2026
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Passed House (65-Y 34-N 0-A)
Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House
Passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)
Read third time
Read second time
Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 7-N)
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Read first time
Placed on Calendar
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A)
Passed Senate
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Read second time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read first time
Chaptered
2/6/2026
Enrolled
2/4/2026
Introduced
11/17/2025
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