SJR2Introduced in the Senate
Constitutional amendment (second reference); qualifications of voters and the right to vote; persons not entitled to vote.
Introduced by Mamie Locke, District 23
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 (CHAP0978)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Agreed to by House (60-Y 34-N 0-A) · February 2, 2026
60
Yes
34
No
6
Absent or Not Voting
100 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Absent |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Absent |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100361D
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 3-N 3-A)
Read first time
Read second time
Floor offered Senator McDougle, Ryan T. Amendments
Reading of amendments waived
Senator McDougle, Ryan T. Amendments rejected (19-Y 20-N 0-A)
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 7-N)
Taken up
Agreed to by House (60-Y 34-N 0-A)
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ2ER)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Assigned Chapter 978 (Effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0978)
Verify the information
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