This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment establishing a fundamental right to vote for every U.S. citizen of legal voting age in the jurisdiction where they live. Any law restricting that right would have to satisfy the highest legal standard — a "compelling governmental interest" achieved through the least-restrictive means available (known as strict scrutiny). The amendment also repeals the section of the 14th Amendment that currently lets states deny voting rights to people convicted of a crime, effectively ending felony disenfranchisement nationwide. For it to become law, two-thirds of each chamber of Congress and three-fourths of state legislatures would need to approve it.
Civil Liberties
- voting right constitutional floor — adds strict-scrutiny standard; any restriction must meet compelling-interest + least-restrictive-means test
- voting access for people with felony convictions — removes 14th Amendment clause authorizing denial of voting rights for criminal conviction
Congressional Summary
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment related to the fundamental right to vote.Specifically, it grants every U.S. citizen of legal voting age the fundamental right to vote in any public election held in the jurisdiction in which the citizen resides.Next, it specifies that the fundamental right to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, a state, or a political subdivision of a state, unless the denial or abridgment is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest by the least restrictive means.Finally, it repeals a specific portion of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which allows for the denial of the right to vote based on crime. (Currently, some states disallow individuals from voting, either temporarily or indefinitely, after incarceration for a felony.)
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-04-27
- Date Added
- 2026-06-08
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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