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Most amendments to Virginia’s Constitution follow a two-stage General Assembly process: they must pass both the Senate and House of Delegates, remain pending through a House of Delegates general election, pass both houses again, and then win approval from voters. A separate constitutional-convention route is available for proposing a general revision or specific amendments.
The ordinary amendment process
The General Assembly consists of Virginia’s Senate and House of Delegates. Under Article XII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia, the ordinary route requires two rounds of approval in both houses, separated by a House of Delegates general election, followed by a statewide vote.
1. A legislator proposes text
A proposal may begin in either house. Virginia Code § 30-19 requires it to be introduced by resolution containing the proposed amendment, prepared in the prescribed form and entered in full in the journal of the house where it is offered. A majority of the elected members of that house must agree; the ayes and noes are recorded. The resolution then goes to the other house, where it must be considered in like manner. If both houses agree, it is enrolled and signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates. See Virginia Code § 30-19.
2. The proposal waits across a House of Delegates general election
After initial approval by both houses, the proposal is referred to the General Assembly at its first regular session held after the next general election of House of Delegates members. This is a required interval between the two legislative stages—not an immediate second vote in the same session.
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At that later regular session, a majority of all members elected to each house must agree to the proposal again. Article XII also permits agreement at a subsequent special session of that General Assembly. The Constitution states: “If at such regular session or any subsequent special session of that General Assembly the proposed amendment or amendments shall be agreed to by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to submit such proposed amendment or amendments to the voters qualified to vote in elections by the people, in such manner as it shall prescribe and not sooner than ninety days after final passage by the General Assembly.”
4. Qualified voters decide
The General Assembly determines how to submit the proposal, but the election may not be held sooner than 90 days after final passage. A majority of the people voting on the amendment must vote yes. That means the threshold is based on votes cast on that question, not on all registered voters or all eligible Virginians.
5. The amendment takes effect on its prescribed date
If voters approve it, the amendment becomes part of the Constitution on the date the General Assembly prescribed when submitting it. The effective date is therefore not necessarily election day.
What voters see before casting a ballot
Virginia Code § 30-19.9 directs the State Board of Elections to arrange for copies of an explanation to be printed and distributed to general registrars at least 90 days before the election. Copies are made available at registration sites, and election officials post the explanation at polling places on election day. The explanation must use plain English and remain neutral: it may briefly describe the effect of a yes or no vote but may not include arguments submitted by supporters or opponents. See Virginia Code § 30-19.9.
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When more than one constitutional amendment is submitted at an election, each must appear as a separate question under Virginia Code § 24.2-615.
The separate constitutional-convention route
Article XII, Section 2 provides another way to develop proposals: the General Assembly may call a convention to propose a general revision or specific amendments. Calling a convention requires approval by two-thirds of the elected members of each house. The General Assembly must provide by law for electing convention delegates and submitting the convention’s proposals to voters. A vote on those proposals cannot occur sooner than 90 days after the convention’s final adjournment. A proposal takes effect if a majority of those voting approve it, on the date prescribed for submission. The convention route is distinct from the ordinary process because convention delegates develop the proposals; the General Assembly’s two-thirds vote calls the convention rather than serving as the ordinary amendment’s two-stage approval. See Article XII, Section 2.
| Feature | Ordinary amendment | Constitutional convention |
|---|---|---|
| Who develops the proposal | Legislators introduce and approve amendment text | Convention delegates develop proposals |
| Legislative action | Majority of elected members in each house at two stages, with the required House of Delegates election interval | Two-thirds of elected members in each house to call the convention |
| Earliest voter submission | At least 90 days after final passage by the General Assembly | At least 90 days after the convention’s final adjournment |
| Voter approval | Majority of those voting on the amendment | Majority of those voting on the proposal |
How to check a particular proposal
This process describes the standing rules; it does not establish whether a specific amendment is pending or scheduled for a particular ballot. For an actual measure, check its current text and legislative action in the General Assembly’s records, then confirm the election details and ballot question with Virginia election officials. The applicable constitutional and statutory rules are in Article XII and the cited Code sections.
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