Richmond, Virginia— Lieutenant Governor nominee John Reid told the Virginia Mercury this week that he would be a ‘no’ vote on all three of the constitutional amendments that will appear before the 2026 General Assembly, including the amendment to change Virginia’s current practice of disenfranchising people with felony convictions.
However, constitutional amendments in Virginia are ultimately decided by the voters. When the General Assembly votes on the amendments next year, they will not be weighing in on the amendments themselves, they will be voting on whether to allow the people of Virginia to use their voices in November of 2026. In addition, under current precedent, the lieutenant governor is not permitted to vote on constitutional amendments.
Virginia is the only state in the nation that permanently and automatically bans anyone with a felony conviction from voting, and then requires them to individually petition the governor to get their voting rights restored. The constitutional amendment on the right to vote would align Virginia with most other states and eliminate the legacy of the Confederacy that is reflected in Virginia’s current disenfranchisement of people with felony convictions. Nationally, 1 in 19 eligible Black voters is disenfranchised – in Virginia, nearly 1 in 10 Black adults are disenfranchised. That rate of disenfranchisement is one of the highest in the nation.
A voting rights constitutional amendment would put the right to vote out of reach of individual governors, parties, or partisan actors by removing the governor’s power to handpick which voters’ rights to restore. The amendment will guarantee that no matter who is in office, all citizens living in their communities have access to the ballot box, making the fundamental right to vote exactly what it should be: neutral and nonpartisan.
“The people of Virginia should have the opportunity to decide whether to amend our Constitution, and politicians shouldn’t stand in the way of voters making their voices heard,” said Chris Kaiser, policy director for the ACLU of Virginia. “Virginia’s voting rights amendment is long overdue and would make our democracy stronger by ending the Commonwealth’s status as the harshest state in the nation for voter disenfranchisement.”
“The right to vote is fundamental,” said Blair St. Ledger-Olson, Director of Advocacy & Campaigns with the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “The Restoration of Rights amendment will grow and strengthen our democracy, and give more Virginians a voice at the ballot box. A strong democracy is absolutely vital for a healthy environment, and we look forward to getting this major reform across the finish line.”
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Right to Vote Coalition Members
About the ACLU of Virginia: The ACLU of Virginia promotes civil liberties and civil rights for everyone in the Commonwealth through public education, litigation, and advocacy with the goal of securing freedom and equality for all. For more information on the ACLU of Virginia go to www.acluva.org.
About Fair Elections Center: Fair Elections Center is a non-partisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to safeguarding the future of our democracy through innovative efforts focused on voting rights and civic engagement. For nearly two decades, we have been using advocacy, litigation, organizing, education, and technology to protect and expand the right to vote, understanding the particular impact on disenfranchised, underrepresented, and marginalized communities. For more information, visit www.fairelectionscenter.org
About Nolef Turns Inc: Nolef Turns Inc. was established to build a network of resources for individuals with court and justice involvement to thrive post-conviction. Our mission is to reduce recidivism by supporting and advocating alongside those with court and justice involvement. For more information, visit www.nolefturns.org.
About Progress Virginia: At Progress Virginia, we drive powerful, values-based narratives to uplift and amplify grassroots voices through innovative digital communications and earned media strategies. We build progressive power alongside marginalized communities to tear down systems of white supremacy, advocate for equitable policies, and ensure leaders reflect the communities they serve.
About Virginia Civic Engagement Table (VCET): VCET strengthens and connects Virginia’s progressive nonprofit organizations and activists and acts as a hub for the larger progressive community envisions a multi-racial democracy where the full diversity of the Commonwealth is actively participating, representing, and transforming our democracy. Where white supremacy is being actively dismantled and people of color, working families, and impacted communities are thriving in a just economy and leading healthy lives. https://progressva.actionkit.com/go/49508?t=9&akid=27904%2E76079%2Ea4oNP4
About the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP): VICPP advocates economic, racial, and social justice in Virginia’s policies and practices by uniting advocates and driving change. A non-partisan coalition of more than 700 faith communities, VICPP is the largest advocacy voice for the interfaith community in Virginia. For more information, visit www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org
About the Virginia League of Conservation Voters: Virginia LCV envisions an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.
Virginia League of Women Voters: The League of Women Voters of Virginia formed November 10, 1920 out of the suffrage movement. The League encourages informed and active participation in government to increase understanding of major public policy issues and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. https://progressva.actionkit.com/go/53135?t=13&akid=27904%2E76079%2Ea4oNP4
About Virginia Organizing: Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization dedicated to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives. Virginia Organizing especially encourages the participation of those who have traditionally had little or no voice in our society. By building relationships with individuals and groups throughout the state, Virginia Organizing strives to get them to work together, democratically and non-violently, for change. https://progressva.actionkit.com/go/53136?t=15&akid=27904%2E76079%2Ea4oNP4
About the Virginia NAACP: Founded in 1935, the NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. For more information, visit www.NAACPVA.org.
About UpVote Virginia: UpVote Virginia is a nonpartisan democracy reform organization that believes civic engagement doesn’t end just because an election is over. We focus on issues related to making our elections stronger and more equitable. Our current flagship policy priority is implementing ranked choice voting in partisan primaries and local elections. For more information, visit www.upvoteva.org