A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to the fundamental right to vote.

Richard J. Durbin

Democrat · IL · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Alex Padilla (D-CA)Original· 2026-04-27
• Bernard Sanders (I-VT)Original· 2026-04-27
• Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)Original· 2026-04-27
• Edward J. Markey (D-MA)Original· 2026-04-27
• Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)Original· 2026-04-27
• Jeff Merkley (D-OR)Original· 2026-04-27
• Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI)Original· 2026-04-27
• Peter Welch (D-VT)Original· 2026-04-27
• Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)Original· 2026-04-27

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2055)

2026-04-27

Source: Congress.gov

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.)

Plain-English rewrite of the Congressional Research Service summary published on Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S.J. Res. 186 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. J. RES. 186 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to the fundamental right to vote. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 27, 2026 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Warren, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Markey, and Mr. Welch) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to the fundamental right to vote. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States: ``Article-- ``Section 1. Every citizen of the United States, who is of legal voting age, shall have the fundamental right to vote in any public election held in the jurisdiction in which the citizen resides. ``Section 2. The fundamental right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State or political subdivision within a State unless such denial or abridgment is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. ``Section 3. The portion of section 2 of the fourteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States that consists of the phrase `or other crime,' is repealed. ``Section 4. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article and protect against any denial or abridgement of the fundamental right to vote by legislation.''. <all>

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