Virginia - What to watch in 2026

Last updated: July, 2026

Virginia has expanded protections affecting women in 2026, but many of those changes still rely on state law. This November, voters will decide several major constitutional questions—on reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and the restoration of voting rights for people with felony convictions—that could make these protections much more durable.

The courts are also expected to play a major role this year. After the Virginia Supreme Court blocked a voter-approved redistricting amendment earlier in 2026, new lawsuits are challenging whether the reproductive freedom amendment can appear on the November ballot.

As a result, both elections and court decisions are helping determine how women's rights and representation evolve in Virginia.

What’s at stake

Reproductive Freedom Amendment

Would amend the Virginia Constitution to establish a right to make decisions about pregnancy, including abortion. Note- this is currently facing legal challenges.

The amendment would limit when the state can restrict that right, requiring a compelling reason to do so. It would also prohibit the state from penalizing someone for receiving or helping with care related to pregnancy outcomes, including abortion, miscarriage, or stillbirth.

• A YES vote would add these protections to the state constitution.
• A NO vote would leave current laws in place without constitutional protection.

Because this proposal would amend the state constitution, it would make these protections more durable and harder to change through future legislation.

Redistricting and political representation

In April 2026, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the General Assembly to redraw the state's congressional districts before the 2026 election. The Virginia Supreme Court later invalidated the amendment, ruling that lawmakers had not followed the constitutional process required to place it before voters. As a result, Virginia's current congressional map remains in place for 2026.

The case has become part of a broader national debate over redistricting, political representation, and the role courts play in reviewing voter-approved constitutional amendments.

Additional constitutional amendments

• Marriage Equality Amendment
  Would remove an existing same-sex marriage ban from the state constitution and formally guarantee marriage equality.
• Voting Rights Restoration Amendment
  Would amend the Virginia Constitution to automatically restore voting rights to people with felony convictions after they complete their prison sentences.

Primary elections (August 4, 2026)

Note - Virginia moved its 2026 primary from June to August through legislation approved earlier this year.

General election (November 3, 2026)

• U.S. House of Representatives (11 seats)
• US Senate (1 seat)
• Constitutional amendments
  • Right to Reproductive Freedom
  • Voting Rights Restoration
  • Remove the Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment 

Election resources

The following links provide official information about the ballot, voter registration, and elected representatives:

Virginia Department of Elections — voter registration, polling locations, and election dates
Ballotpedia — Virginia elections, 2026

Locate your district's representatives

• Who's My Legislator - An interactive map and locator tool
• House of Delegates - The official House member directory
• State Senate - The official Senate directory

WRDI provides election context to support an informed understanding of how laws and policies change. The organization does not endorse candidates or parties.