All Roll Calls
Yes: 123 • No: 82
Sponsored By: Mamie E. Locke (Democratic)
Became Law
Constitutional amendment (second reference); qualifications of voters and the right to vote; persons not entitled to vote. Provides that every person who meets the qualifications of voters set forth in the Constitution shall have the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth and that such right shall not be abridged by law, except for persons who have been convicted of a felony and persons who have been adjudicated to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting. A person who has been convicted of a felony shall not be entitled to vote during any period of incarceration for such felony conviction, but upon release from incarceration for that felony conviction and without further action required of him such person shall be invested with all political rights, including the right to vote. Currently, in order to be qualified to vote a person convicted of a felony must have his civil rights restored by the Governor or other appropriate authority. The amendment also provides that a person adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction as lacking the capacity to understand the act of voting shall not be entitled to vote during this period of incapacity until his capacity has been reestablished as prescribed by law. Currently, the Constitution provides that a person who has been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent is not qualified to vote until his competency is reestablished.
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4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
The Constitution says voting is a fundamental right for U.S. citizens who are at least 18, live in Virginia and their precinct, and are registered. Residence means you have a legal home (domicile) and a place where you live (abode) in that precinct. The right to vote cannot be limited by law except as the Constitution allows.
If you are incarcerated for a felony, you cannot vote while in jail or prison. When you are released, all your political rights, including voting, return right away with no extra steps. If a court rules you cannot understand the act of voting, you cannot vote during that period. Your voting rights return when competency is restored as state law provides.
The law lets the General Assembly allow Virginians who work overseas, and their spouses and dependents living with them, to vote even if they gave up their Virginia abode while abroad. It lets the Assembly allow people who move within Virginia to keep voting in their old precinct for a set time. For presidential elections, it can set other ways for new residents to register. Specific rules and time limits come from state law.
If you will be 18 by the next general election, you can register now. You can vote in primaries or special elections held before you turn 18.
Mamie E. Locke
Democratic • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 123 • No: 82
House vote • 2/2/2026
Agreed to by House
Yes: 60 • No: 34
House vote • 1/30/2026
Reported from Privileges and Elections
Yes: 15 • No: 7
Senate vote • 1/16/2026
Agreed to by Senate
Yes: 21 • No: 18
Senate vote • 1/15/2026
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/15/2026
Senator McDougle, Ryan T. Amendments rejected
Yes: 19 • No: 20
Senate vote • 1/14/2026
Reported from Privileges and Elections
Yes: 8 • No: 3 • Other: 3
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0978)
Assigned Chapter 978 (Effective 7/1/2026)
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ2ER)
Signed by President
Agreed to by House (60-Y 34-N 0-A)
Taken up
Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 7-N)
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
Read third time
Floor offered
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Senator McDougle, Ryan T. Amendments rejected (19-Y 20-N 0-A)
Reading of amendments waived
Read second time
Read first time
Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 3-N 3-A)
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100361D
Chaptered
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/30/2026
Amendment
1/15/2026
Introduced
11/17/2025
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