The multi-year process began with controversy last year and may continue through at least 2026.

The Virginia House of Delegates passed resolutions on January 14, enshrining abortion and same-sex marriage into the Constitution and restoring voting rights to felons. This vote is the next step in a multi-year process necessary to amend the Virginia Constitution.

The three measures sparked controversy last year when Democrat leadership on the House Privileges and Elections Committee surprised members with proposals and language changes without giving notice or time to review measures.

“We were literally given five minutes to huddle and look at it before we had to decide what we were grappling with … it’s pretty clear that this is a pretty extreme version of efforts to protect abortion that goes well beyond what has been done in other states,” House minority leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) said at the time.

Democrats currently hold a single vote advantage in the House and party leadership in both chambers have described these amendments as central to their legislative agenda.

“This resolution is not only extreme — and it is,” said Republican Delegate Mark Early during floor debate. “But the real problem with it is that it’s fundamentally misguided because it refuses to open its eyes to the lives and futures of children.”

Delegate Carrie Coyner pointed out that the measure as written would remove things like parental consent and notification for children under 18.

“I am required to be present for every single one of my children’s doctor appointments today. For everything as mundane as a cold, to annual routine physicals to play in school sports, but this amendment would allow my daughter and countless others to make a decision that could change the course of her life without ever consulting me,” said Delegate Carrie Coyner (R-Chesterfield.)

While the abortion issue drew the most controversy other measures drew bipartisan support. The measure to restore voting rights to convicted felons passed 55-44 and the resolution protecting same-sex marriage drew a 58-35 vote. Democrats currently lead Republicans 51-49 in the chamber.

The sense of urgency is derived from the multi-year process needed to amend the Constitution. For an amendment to be ratified, it must pass by a majority vote in two separate legislative sessions separated by a general election then face a public vote by referendum. Constitutional Amendments are not subject to a Governor’s veto.

The earliest the resolutions could take effect is after the 2026 general election.