Skip to content
Democracy SENTRY
UpdateVirginiaFriday, October 30, 2026

Virginia voters to decide on automatic voting rights restoration for felons

A ballot measure would restore voting rights upon release from incarceration.

Reporting by
WSLS
“Virginia voters will decide whether felons should automatically regain the right to vote after release”, Friday, October 30, 2026
Read the full story
What happened

Virginia voters are deciding on Amendment 3, a ballot measure that would automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies upon their release from incarceration. The amendment would also restore the right to serve on a jury and hold elected office. The amendment would not restore gun rights.1

What it means in Virginia

What this means for Virginia voters

Early voting in the form of in-person absentee voting runs from Friday September 18 until 5 p.m. on Saturday October 31, 2026.2 After the regular deadline, voters can register and vote the same day during early voting or at their polling place on Election Day.3

Key dates in Virginia

Election Day in 2 days
  1. Fri, Sep 18 · passed
    Early voting begins
  2. Fri, Oct 23 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  3. Sat, Oct 31 · passed
    Early voting ends
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · 2 days
    Election Day; Registration deadline
  5. Fri, Nov 6 · 5 days
    Mail ballots must arrive
  6. Fri, Nov 13 · 12 days
    County/Local certification
  7. Mon, Dec 7 · 36 days
    State certification

Every date in Virginia, and who certifies the election

More on this story
The answers behind this

Ask

Have a question about voting in Virginia?

Ask it here. If we do not have the answer yet, we will find it.