In a significant move that could reshape Virginia’s legislative landscape, voters in the state will soon have the opportunity to decide on four pivotal constitutional amendments. These amendments encompass critical issues such as reproductive rights, same-sex marriage, voting rights for felons, and the redrawing of congressional maps.
The Virginia Senate recently passed resolutions to enshrine these rights into the state’s constitution, following approval by the House earlier in the week. This legislative decision marks the second time these amendments have been passed, fulfilling part of the process required to amend the state constitution, which necessitates approval in two separate legislative sessions with an election in between.
Among the amendments is a proposal allowing the General Assembly to redraw congressional maps mid-decade, a move that Democrats argue could reduce Republican representation in Congress. However, Republicans contend that the requirement for an election between sessions was not met for this amendment, as the vote coincided with early voting last fall.
The Senate’s narrow Democratic majority mostly supported the amendments, with a few Republican Senators—Bill DeSteph, Danny Diggs, Tara Durant, Emily Jordan, and David Suetterlein—joining them in backing the repeal of the same-sex marriage ban. An amendment proposed by Jordan, which sought to ensure clergy members are not compelled to perform marriages against their beliefs, was not adopted. As it stands, the amendment references only the commonwealth, excluding religious entities and individuals.
Efforts to modify the reproductive freedom amendment to protect infants born alive following abortion procedures were also unsuccessful, as Senate Democrats rejected the proposal. Similarly, an attempt to restrict voting rights restoration exclusively to non-violent offenders did not pass.
With the legislative hurdles cleared, these proposed constitutional changes will be presented to the public for a vote. The amendments on same-sex marriage, abortion, and voting rights are scheduled for the November ballot, while the redistricting amendment could see a vote as early as April, pending a special referendum.
Kate Seltzer, (757)713-7881, kate.seltzer@virginiamedia.com
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