2026 Virginia ballot measures

Last updated

In 2026, four proposed constitutional amendments were submitted to voters by the Virginia General Assembly. All four had been passed in the 163rd General Assembly in special session and were subsequently passed again in the first days of the 164th General Assembly.

Contents

April

Redistricting amendment

HJ6007 (legislatively initiated October 31, 2025, affirmed January 16, 2026) would amend the constitution to allow legislative mid-decade redistricting of congressional districts in response to mid-decade redistricting by other states. [1] Pending litigation, the measure will appear on the April 2026 ballot.

November

Abortion rights amendment

HJ1 / SJ247 (legislatively initiated March 24, 2025, affirmed January 16, 2026) would amend the constitution to guarantee a right to abortion. [2] [3] The measure will appear on the November 2026 ballot.

Marriage equality amendment

HJ9 / SJ249 (legislatively initiated March 24, 2025, affirmed January 16, 2026) would amend the constitution to codify same-sex and interracial marriage. The measure will appear on the November 2026 ballot.

Voting rights restoration amendment

HJ2 / SJ248 (legislatively initiated March 24, 2025, affirmed January 16, 2026) would amend the constitution to automatically restore voting rights to formerly-incarcerated individuals. The measure will appear on the November 2026 ballot.

Litigation

Following the General Assembly's re-passage of all four amendments to the ballot in January 2026, an ongoing lawsuit filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court by Republican plaintiffs against the Redistricting Amendment was expanded to request a ruling on a statutory mandate for the General Assembly to post any proposed constitutional amendment at circuit clerk offices for public inspection at least 90 days before the next House of Delegates election, with Judge Jack Hurley requiring both parties to submit briefs. [4]

References

  1. "In a historic vote, constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom passes the General Assembly". ACLU of Virginia. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  2. "In a historic vote, constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom passes the General Assembly". ACLU of Virginia. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  3. Khalil, Jahd (2025-01-20). "Virginia Senate pushes forward constitutional amendments". VPM. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  4. vascope (2026-01-22). "Redistricting update: Both sides have 10 days to prepare briefs for Tazewell judge". Virginia Scope. Retrieved 2026-01-24.