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

This proposed constitutional amendment seeks to modernize Virginia’s language regarding voter eligibility. Currently, the state constitution includes outdated language concerning individuals with mental disabilities and past felony convictions. This amendment would establish that every citizen of the United States who is 18 years or older and a resident of Virginia is entitled to vote, unless they are currently serving a sentence of incarceration for a felony. If passed, this measure would simplify the restoration of rights for those who have completed their sentences and align state law with contemporary standards of civil equality. By clarifying these criteria, the amendment aims to ensure broader, more consistent access to the ballot box for all eligible Virginians across the Commonwealth.