Virginia Voters Approve Three Constitutional Amendments On Voting Rights, Abortion And Same Sex Marriage

The Virginia constitutional amendments on voting rights, abortion access and same sex marriage all passed Tuesday, with voters approving all three questions on the ballot, according to Associated Press projections reported by Virginia news outlets.

The voting rights amendment passed with nearly 55 percent support, and the Associated Press called it Tuesday night, Democracy Docket reported. According to WTVR, it bars people from voting while they are incarcerated for a felony and restores their voting rights automatically when they are released. Until now, only the governor could restore those rights. The amendment also creates a fundamental right to vote for qualified voters and replaces the old bar on voting for people found mentally incompetent with a bar for people found to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting. Democracy Docket reported that Gov. Abigail Spanberger has restored voting rights to 100,000 people since taking office, and that the Sentencing Project found about 1 in 10 Black Virginians eligible to vote had been barred because of a felony level conviction.

The abortion amendment passed with 60.9 percent in favor and 39.1 percent against, and the Associated Press called it shortly after 9 p.m., VPM reported. It adds a fundamental right to reproductive freedom to the Virginia constitution. VPM reported that it allows abortions through the second trimester, eases barriers to third trimester abortions, protects contraception and fertility care, and shields health care providers from criminal prosecution. VPM noted that federal legislation restricting abortion nationwide could still apply.

The third amendment removes the ban on same sex marriage from the state constitution, and the Associated Press reported it passing, according to WJLA. Vote totals for that amendment were not available in the reports reviewed.

All results are unofficial until the state certifies them, and the reports reviewed did not give a date when the Virginia constitutional amendments take effect. Voters can confirm certification dates and any changes to voter eligibility with the Virginia Department of Elections or their local registrar.

Dee Dee Henderson

Dee Dee Henderson is a Poli Alert journalist covering national politics, elections and the policies that hit closest to home for Black communities, from voting rights and the economy to the courts. She reports the facts first and isn't afraid to say what they mean, and her commentary pieces are clearly labeled as opinion. Her midterm coverage breaks down deadlines, ballot measures and the races that will decide who holds power in Washington.

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