Virginia Constitutional Amendment 3 of 3
Automatic Voting Rights Restoration
November 3, 2026 General Election Ballot
What This Amendment Is About
This amendment would change how Virginia restores voting rights to people who have been convicted of a felony. Currently, the governor must restore rights individually. This amendment would make restoration automatic for anyone no longer incarcerated.
Current Law
Under the current Virginia Constitution, a felony conviction permanently strips a person of their right to vote.
The only way to regain voting rights is to apply individually to the Governor’s office for restoration.
The Governor has wide discretion — the process can vary significantly from one administration to the next, and there is no guarantee of restoration.
Virginia is one of only 10 states where voting rights are not automatically restored.
Proposed Law
The amendment would establish a constitutional right to vote for every Virginia citizen who is not currently incarcerated for a felony.
Voting rights would be automatically restored upon release from prison — no application to the Governor required.
People on parole or probation, or who owe fines after release, would also have their rights restored once those obligations are met.
The Governor would no longer have discretion over individual rights restoration.
What the Ballot Question Asks
“Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to establish the right of any citizen to vote who is not incarcerated for a felony conviction, thereby providing for the automatic restoration of the right to vote upon release from incarceration?”
How Your Vote Counts
✔ YES Vote Means…
The Virginia Constitution is amended to give every non-incarcerated citizen the right to vote.
Voting rights are restored automatically upon release from prison — no petition needed.
The Governor no longer has discretion over individual voting rights restoration.
This protection is constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be changed without another statewide voter-approved amendment.
✘ NO Vote Means…
No change is made to the Virginia Constitution.
People with felony convictions continue to lose their right to vote permanently unless the Governor individually restores their rights.
The process remains subject to the policies of whichever Governor is in office, and individuals must apply on their own.
Virginia remains in the minority of states that do not automatically restore voting rights.
This site has complete information on voting in the November 3, 2026, election: Virginia Department of Elections – Upcoming Elections
This guide is non-partisan and presents facts only. It does not advocate for or against this amendment.
Prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Charlottesville Area · Virginia General Election — November 3, 2026