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As you may recall, this past January, Virginia Democrats advanced three constitutional amendments – on reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and the right of all eligible citizens to vote – including “Virginians who have completed felony sentences and returned to their communities.”
- Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJ1) guarantees the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy in Virginia. It secures individuals’ ability to make personal reproductive health decisions without government interference.
- Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJ2) clarifies voter qualifications in Virginia, ensuring that all eligible citizens are fully protected under the state constitution.
- Senate Joint Resolution 3 (SJ3) affirms marriage as a union between two individuals, regardless of gender, sex, religion, or other factors. It reflects Virginia’s commitment to marriage equality and upholds fairness, equality, and the protection of individual rights
So now, in just a few weeks (starting on 9/18), we’ll be able to vote for these three amendments – and yes, we should definitely vote for all three amendments! For more information on the reproductive freedom amendment, see here and here; for more on all three amendments, see this Loudoun League of Women Voters forum from late May; and for more on the right to vote amendment, see below for a press release from Virginians for the Right to Vote, as well as video from their event in Norfolk at noon today.
The bottom line here is that ” Virginia is the only state that requires a person to petition the governor individually to restore their voting rights, a process that leaves voting rights completely vulnerable to the whims of politicians,” and that needs to change. Also, disgracefully, note that this provision “was written into the state constitution at the height of the Jim Crow era in order to suppress the voices of Black voters,” so this is disgraceful no matter how you look at it. Unfortunately, it’s effective at its intended goal, as “the nationwide disenfranchised population rate now hovers around 1.7%, while Virginia’s rate is approximately 4.2%” – over twice as high, and for absolutely no good reason. So this fall, starting on 9/18, while you’re voting for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot, make sure you also vote YES on this constitutional amendment (#3) as well as the other two – and remember that this progress will be the result of electing *Democrats* (in stark contrast, Virginia Republicans oppose all three amendments, which tells you all you need to know about where that party’s collective head is at these days).
P.S. As Del. Cia Price said, “our laws are only as good as our constitution and the systems that enforce it.” So this fall, “we must win so big that there is NO DOUBT where Virginia stands today.”
Virginians for the Right to Vote to Launch Statewide “Yes on #3” Campaign in Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. — On Thursday, Aug. 6 at Noon at The Slover in Norfolk, Virginians for the Right to Vote will join elected leaders, advocates, and impacted community members to launch its campaign to urge Virginians to vote Yes on the Right to Vote Amendment (Ballot Question #3) by November 3.
If passed, the amendment would enshrine the right to vote for all eligible voters in Virginia’s constitution and would create a fair process to automatically restore the right to vote for Virginians who have completed felony sentences and returned to their communities.
A 2026 poll from Christopher Newport University shows 64% of voters are in favor of this amendment.
Due to a provision that was written into the state constitution at the height of the Jim Crow era in order to suppress the voices of Black voters, Virginia is the most punitive state in the nation when it comes to the restoration of voting rights. Currently, Virginia is the only state that requires a person to petition the governor individually to restore their voting rights, a process that leaves voting rights completely vulnerable to the whims of politicians.
For example, while governors from both parties — including Gov. Abigail Spanberger and former Gov. Bob McDonnell — have taken steps toward reform, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin reversed course and restored the rights of fewer than 10,000 people during his entire four-year term. (For context, Gov. Spanberger has restored the voting rights of more than 66,000 individuals since taking office). The Supreme Court of Virginia blocked former Gov. Terry McAuliffe from issuing a blanket restoration, which is further testament to why this amendment is needed.
Due to Virginia’s exceptionally harsh disenfranchisement scheme, Virginia has the fourth highest disenfranchised population in the country, behind only Florida, Tennessee and Texas. Today, the nationwide disenfranchised population rate now hovers around 1.7%, while Virginia’s rate is approximately 4.2%.
The launch coincides with the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, which was recently gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Since then, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the SAVE Act, which would jeopardize voting rights for the 8 in 10 women in opposite-sex marriages who changed their last names when they got married. Both actions highlight the imminent threats to voting rights and the urgent need to protect ballot access for every eligible Virginia voter.
Partner organizations will host tables offering informational resources to the community. Light refreshments will be provided.
The launch will be followed by an evening event in Newport News hosted by NAACP Virginia State Conference that will be headlined by Senator Mamie Locke, the Chair of Virginians for the Right to Vote.
WHO:
- U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (VA-03)
- Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price (D-Newport News), Vice Chair of Virginians for the Right to Vote
- Rev. Cozy Bailey, President of NAACP Virginia State Conference
- Storyteller and Portsmouth School Board Member Quniana Futrell
- Storyteller Sergio Hayes of Newport News
- Storyteller Jamel Ridgenal of Virginia Beach
- Event emcee Sarah Ahmed of Richmond, Deputy Director of Advocacy & Campaigns for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters
[…]
Virginians for the Right to Vote is a broad, statewide alliance of civil rights, voting rights, faith, community, and advocacy organizations working to secure a constitutional right to vote for every eligible Virginian so that voting rights never depend on who is in elected office. The committee is led by Chair Senator Mamie Locke and Vice Chair Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price, and much of the groundwork was laid by a voting rights coalition founded by Sheba Williams in 2016. Member organizations include: ACLU of Virginia, NAACP Virginia State Conference, New Virginia Majority, Nolef Turns, Virginia Civic Engagement Table, Virginia Interfaith Advocacy, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, and Virginia Organizing.
