Constitutional amendments will be considered in upcoming VA legislative session

Lawmakers are set to return to Richmond Wednesday for the start of the General Assembly session, where they will consider hundreds of bills along with several proposed constitutional amendments. Four amendments are expected to be taken up by lawmakers. Constitutional amendments must pass two legislative sessions over at least two years, and this vote would mark the second and final approval required before they can move forward. Constitutional amendments are not subject to a governor’s veto. The amendments then move on to the ballot box. One of the proposals addresses redistricting. Another amendment would restore voting rights for felons. If approved, individuals who have completed their sentence would automatically regain the right to vote. Two other proposals will focus on abortion access and same-sex marriage. If the amendments pass the General Assembly, they would appear on the ballot for voters to decide in a statewide referendum. Lawmakers said some could appear on the ballot as early as this spring ahead of the upcoming election.