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Bill

SJ 2

Constitutional amendment (second reference); qualifications of voters and the right to vote; persons not entitled to vote.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lashrecse Aird and 19 co-sponsors

Virginia proposes a constitutional amendment modifying voter eligibility and qualification requirements, advancing voting rights governance with House approval.

Signed by Speaker
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SJ 2

Legislative bill overview

SJ 2 is a constitutional amendment proposal that modifies Virginia's voter qualification requirements and rights. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support (60-34) after committee approval and seeks to amend the state constitution regarding who is eligible to vote and who is explicitly barred from voting.

Why is this important

Constitutional amendments establish fundamental rules about democratic participation and can have lasting effects on election eligibility and voter rights. Virginia's constitutional framework on voting qualifications directly determines who can participate in state and local elections, making this a significant governance question with broad civic implications.

Potential points of contention

  • Specific eligibility changes unclear: The bill's title references "qualifications of voters" and "persons not entitled to vote" but doesn't specify which groups are being added or removed from voting eligibility, making it difficult to assess the practical impact without viewing the full amendment language
  • Constitutional vs. statutory debate: Some may argue voting rule changes should occur through statute rather than constitutional amendment, while others contend constitutional protection is necessary for voter rights
  • Implementation concerns: Constitutional amendments often require subsequent enabling legislation and enforcement mechanisms, raising questions about implementation details and cost

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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