Bill Commons

VA SJ 2

Status unknown

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

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · upper

Quick answers

Did VA SJ 2 pass?

The current status of VA SJ 2 is not known from the official record. Latest recorded action (2026-03-31): Signed by Speaker

What is VA SJ 2 about?

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.

Who sponsors VA SJ 2?

Mamie E. Locke is the primary sponsor of VA SJ 2, joined by 19 cosponsors.

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.

Introduced
2025-11-17
Latest action
2026-03-31 — Signed by Speaker
Bill type
constitutional amendment
Last updated

Sponsors

  • Mamie E. Lockeprimary
  • Schuyler T. VanValkenburgcosponsor
  • Scott A. Surovellcosponsor
  • Kannan Srinivasancosponsor
  • Saddam Azlan Salimcosponsor
  • Aaron R. Rousecosponsor
  • Russet Perrycosponsor
  • Stella G. Pekarskycosponsor
  • Jeremy S. McPikecosponsor
  • David W. Marsdencosponsor
  • Angelia Williams Gravescosponsor
  • Ghazala F. Hashmicosponsor
  • Barbara A. Favolacosponsor
  • Adam P. Ebbincosponsor
  • R. Creigh Deedscosponsor
  • Jennifer D. Carroll Foycosponsor
  • Jennifer B. Boyskocosponsor
  • Lamont Bagbycosponsor
  • Lashrecse D. Airdcosponsor
  • L. Louise Lucascosponsor

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

  1. 2025-11-17

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100361D

    filing,introduction

  2. 2025-11-17

    Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    referral-committee

  3. 2026-01-14

    Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 3-N 3-A)

    committee-passage

  4. 2026-01-14

    Read first time

    reading-1

  5. 2026-01-15

    Read second time

    reading-2

  6. 2026-01-15

    Floor offered Senator McDougle, Ryan T. Amendments

  7. 2026-01-15

    Reading of amendments waived

  8. 2026-01-15

    Senator McDougle, Ryan T. Amendments rejected (19-Y 20-N 0-A)

    amendment-failure

  9. 2026-01-15

    Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

  10. 2026-01-16

    Read third time

    reading-3

  11. 2026-01-16

    Agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  12. 2026-01-20

    Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    referral-committee

  13. 2026-01-30

    Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 7-N)

    committee-passage

  14. 2026-02-02

    Taken up

  15. 2026-02-02

    Agreed to by House (60-Y 34-N 0-A)

  16. 2026-03-30

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ2ER)

    passage

  17. 2026-03-30

    Signed by President

    passage

  18. 2026-03-31

    Signed by Speaker

    passage

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Reported from Privileges and Elections

    2026-01-14 · pass · 8-3

    Member-level votes (15)
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Adam P. Ebbin: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: abstain
    • Bill DeSteph: abstain
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: abstain
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: no
    • Emily M. Jordan: not voting
  • Floor Amendments V

    2026-01-15 · fail · 19-20

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: no
    • Lamont Bagby: no
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: no
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: no
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: no
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: yes
    • Adam P. Ebbin: no
    • Barbara A. Favola: no
    • Timmy French: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: yes
    • Ghazala F. Hashmi: not voting
    • Christopher T. Head: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: no
    • L. Louise Lucas: no
    • David W. Marsden: no
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: no
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: no
    • Russet Perry: no
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: no
    • Aaron R. Rouse: no
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: no
    • Kannan Srinivasan: no
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: no
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: no
    • Angelia Williams Graves: no
  • Agree to R

    2026-01-16 · pass · 21-18

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: no
    • Christie New Craig: no
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: no
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
    • Tara A. Durant: no
    • Adam P. Ebbin: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: no
    • T. Travis Hackworth: no
    • Ghazala F. Hashmi: yes
    • Christopher T. Head: no
    • Emily M. Jordan: no
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Mark J. Peake: no
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: not voting
    • Bryce E. Reeves: no
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
    • Richard H. Stuart: no
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
    • David R. Suetterlein: no
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes
  • Reported from Privileges and Elections

    2026-01-30 · pass · 15-7

    Member-level votes (22)
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Jackie H. Glass: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: no
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: no
    • Phillip A. Scott: no
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: no
    • Mike A. Cherry: no
    • Eric Phillips: no
  • H VOTE:

    2026-02-02 · pass · 60-34

    Member-level votes (100)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: no
    • Jason S. Ballard: no
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: no
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: yes
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: not voting
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Mitchell Cornett: no
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Will Davis: no
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Lindsey Dougherty: yes
    • Mark C. Downey: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: no
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Margaret A. Franklin: yes
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
    • Jackie H. Glass: yes
    • Timothy P. Griffin: no
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Karen Hamilton: no
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: no
    • Patrick A. Hope: not voting
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: no
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: no
    • Barry D. Knight: not voting
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Marty Martinez: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: no
    • Joseph P. McNamara: no
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: no
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: no
    • Justin Pence: no
    • Eric Phillips: no
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: not voting
    • Sam Rasoul: not voting
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Chris S. Runion: no
    • Charlie Schmidt: yes
    • Don Scott: yes
    • Phillip A. Scott: no
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: not voting
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: no
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: no
    • Wendell S. Walker: no
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: no
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: no
    • Madison Whittle: no
    • Bill Wiley: no
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: no
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
    • Scott A. Wyatt: no
    • Eric R. Zehr: no

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

Attribution

Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z

Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:

Use this data

Every field on this page is available from the free public API — no key or licence required. Fetch this bill as JSON: GET /api/v1/bills?jurisdiction=VA&identifier=SJ 2. See the API docs or the MCP server for AI assistants.

Known limitations

  • Sponsor party and chamber affiliation are not yet captured by this API.
  • Committee referrals are not yet captured.

See the methodology page for data sources and limitations.