HJR2Introduced in the House of Delegates
Constitutional amendment; qualifications of voters and the right to vote; persons not entitled to vote.
Introduced by Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, District 5
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Constitutional amendment (second reference); qualifications of voters and the right to vote; persons not entitled to vote. Provides that every person who meets the qualifications of voters set forth in the Constitution shall have the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth and that such right shall not be abridged by law, except for persons who have been convicted of a felony and persons who have been adjudicated to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting. A person who has been convicted of a felony shall not be entitled to vote during any period of incarceration for such felony conviction, but upon release from incarceration for that felony conviction and without further action required of him such person shall be invested with all political rights, including the right to vote. Currently, in order to be qualified to vote a person convicted of a felony must have his civil rights restored by the Governor or other appropriate authority. The amendment also provides that a person adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction as lacking the capacity to understand the act of voting shall not be entitled to vote during this period of incapacity until his capacity has been reestablished as prescribed by law. Currently, the Constitution provides that a person who has been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent is not qualified to vote until his competency is reestablished.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0974)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate · January 16, 2026
21
Yes
18
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Timmy French | 1 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| Chris Head | 3 | No |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | No |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | No |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Absent |
| William Stanley | 7 | No |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
| Tammy Brankley Mulchi | 9 | No |
| Luther Cifers | 10 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100156D
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 6-N)
Taken up
Engrossed by House
Agreed to by House (65-Y 33-N 0-A)
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 3-N 2-A)
Read second time
Read third time
Floor offered Senator McDougle Amendments
Reading of amendments waived (Voice Vote)
Senator McDougle Amendments rejected (Voice Vote)
Passed Senate
Agreed to by Senate
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ2ER)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Assigned Chapter 974 (Effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0974)
Verify the information
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