Constitutional amendment; qualifications of voters and the right to vote (first reference).
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SJ 272 — Constitutional amendment; qualifications of voters and the right to vote (first reference).
Last action — Assigned Chapter 519 (effective 7/1/21)
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House of Delegates
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 2021 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Summary
Constitutional amendment (first reference);qualifications of voters and the right to vote. Establishes thatthe sole qualifications to vote in the Commonwealth are being a UnitedStates citizen, at least 18 years of age, a resident of the Commonwealth, and registered to vote in accordance with the requirements set outin the Constitution of Virginia. The amendment further provides thatany person who meets those qualifications has the right to vote andthat such right cannot be abridged by law. The bill lifts restrictionson qualifications to vote for those who have been convicted of afelony or adjudicated to be mentally incompetent.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
16 added · 15 removedPlain-language change summary
The amendment to Bill SJ 272 proposes a change to the qualifications of voters in Virginia, particularly concerning how residency is defined for voting purposes. It clarifies that to qualify as a voter, individuals must have both a permanent residence and a living place in Virginia. Additionally, it seeks to provide alternatives for registering to vote for those who work overseas and their families, addressing challenges that might arise from being away from their U.S. residence. This change matters because it makes voting access more inclusive for Virginians who may be abroad, ensuring they can still participate in elections despite their circumstances.
SPECIAL SESSION I history | hilite | pdf | print version VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER 519 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.
View plain text versions (6)
Action History
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Assigned Chapter 519 (effective 7/1/21)
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Enrolled
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Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 17-N)
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VOTE: Agreed To (56-Y 40-N)
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Conference report agreed to by House (56-Y 40-N)
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Second Conference substitute printed 21200805D-S3
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Second conferees appointed by House
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Second conferees appointed by Senate
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Senate acceded to request for second conference committee (36-Y 3-N)
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House requested second conference committee
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Conference substitute printed 21200555D-S2
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Amended by conference committee
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Conferees appointed by House
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Conferees appointed by Senate
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Senate acceded to request (39-Y 0-N)
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House requested conference committee
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House insisted on substitute
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House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 38-N)
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VOTE: Adoption (56-Y 44-N)
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Agreed to by House with substitute (56-Y 44-N)
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Engrossed by House - committee substitute SJ272H1
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Committee substitute agreed to 21200087D-H1
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Taken up
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Committee substitute printed 21200087D-H1
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Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (13-Y 9-N)
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Continued to Special Session 1 in Privileges and Elections
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Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
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Placed on Calendar
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Agreed to by Senate (22-Y 15-N 1-A)
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Reading waived (37-Y 0-N)
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Engrossed by Senate - floor substitute SJ272S1
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Substitute by Senator Surovell agreed to 21104430D-S1
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Reading of substitute waived
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Read second time
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Floor substitute printed 21104430D-S1 (Surovell)
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Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered
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Reading waived (38-Y 0-N)
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Reported from Privileges and Elections (10-Y 5-N)
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Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
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Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/21 21100635D
Sponsors
- Mamie E. Locke · Primary
- Jennifer B. Boysko · Cosponsor
- Jennifer L. McClellan · Cosponsor
- Joseph D. Morrissey · Cosponsor
- Scott A. Surovell · Cosponsor
- Adam P. Ebbin · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 142 not signed on · 76 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Mamie E. Locke Voted No
Co-sponsors (5)
- Jennifer B. Boysko Voted No
- Jennifer L. McClellan
- Joseph D. Morrissey
- Scott A. Surovell Voted No
- Adam P. Ebbin
Not signed on (142)
142 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 142 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 36 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 36 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 8% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Nay |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Hashmi, Ghazala F. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Nay |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Yea |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 21 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 21 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 54% | 44% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Nay |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Not Voting |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Nay |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Nay |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Nay |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Nay |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Hashmi, Ghazala F. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Nay |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Nay |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Nay |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Nay |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Nay |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Nay |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Nay |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Nay |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 55 | 40 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 55 | 40 | 0 | 4 |
| % of votes cast | 56% | 40% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (99)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Yea |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Hashmi, Ghazala F. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Yea |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 38 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 0 | 38 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 0% | 97% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Nay |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Nay |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Nay |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Nay |
| Barker, George L. | — | Nay |
| Bell, John J. | — | Nay |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Nay |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Nay |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Nay |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Nay |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Nay |
| David W. Marsden | — | Nay |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Nay |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Nay |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Nay |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Hashmi, Ghazala F. | — | Nay |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Nay |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Nay |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Nay |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Nay |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Nay |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Nay |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Nay |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Nay |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Nay |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Nay |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Nay |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Nay |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Nay |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Nay |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Not Voting |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Nay |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Nay |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Nay |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 55 | 44 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 55 | 44 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 56% | 44% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (99)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 13 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 13 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 59% | 41% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (22)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adams, Dawn M. | — | Yea |
| Adams, Les R. | — | Nay |
| Askew, Alex Q. | — | Yea |
| Chris S. Runion | — | Nay |
| Christopher T. Head | — | Nay |
| Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. | — | Yea |
| David A. Reid | — | Yea |
| Israel D. O'Quinn | — | Nay |
| Levine, Mark H. | — | Yea |
| Marcia S. "Cia" Price | — | Yea |
| Marcus B. Simon | — | Yea |
| McGuire, John J., III | — | Nay |
| Mundon King, Candi | — | Yea |
| Orrock, Robert D., Sr. | — | Nay |
| Paul E. Krizek | — | Yea |
| Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. | — | Nay |
| Rush, Nick | — | Nay |
| Sam Rasoul | — | Yea |
| Schuyler T. VanValkenburg | — | Yea |
| Shelly A. Simonds | — | Yea |
| Sickles, Mark D. | — | Yea |
| Wendell S. Walker | — | Nay |
Roll call published as PDF — view source.
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 22 | 15 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 22 | 15 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 56% | 38% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (39)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 37 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 37 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 95% | 0% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (39)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 67% | 33% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (15)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Nay |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Nay |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Nay |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Nay |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Nay |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 38 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 38 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 97% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Yea |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Not Voting |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Hashmi, Ghazala F. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Yea |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SJ 272 do?
- Constitutional amendment (first reference);qualifications of voters and the right to vote. Establishes thatthe sole qualifications to vote in the Commonwealth are being a UnitedStates citizen, at least 18 years of age, a resident of the Commonwealth, and registered to vote in accordance with the requirements set outin the Constitution of Virginia. The amendment further provides thatany person who meets those qualifications has the right to vote andthat such right cannot be abridged by law. The bill lifts restrictionson qualifications to vote for those who have been convicted of afelony or adjudicated to be mentally incompetent.
- Who sponsors SJ 272?
- SJ 272 is sponsored by Mamie E. Locke, Jennifer B. Boysko, Jennifer L. McClellan, Joseph D. Morrissey, Scott A. Surovell, and Adam P. Ebbin.
- What is the current status of SJ 272?
- This bill died with 2021 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track SJ 272?
- Track SJ 272 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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