hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Proposes constitutional amendment establishing a fundamental right to vote.
Senator Durbin (D-IL) and 9 co-sponsors introduced it.
Introduced in the Senate, currently in committee.
This resolution seeks to add a new article to the U.S. Constitution, explicitly defining voting as a fundamental right for all citizens of legal age. It also grants Congress power to protect this right. Senator Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, introduced this bill. It is currently awaiting review and potential debate within the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced Apr 27, 2026
This bill was introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. For it to become law, it must pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives with a two-thirds majority in each chamber. If passed by Congress, it would then need to be ratified by three-fourths of the states' legislatures to become a constitutional amendment.
If this amendment passes, every citizen of legal voting age would have a fundamental right to vote in public elections, making it harder for states to implement restrictive voting laws without a compelling reason. Specifically, it would remove the part of the 14th Amendment that allows states to deny voting rights for 'other crime,' which could restore voting eligibility for many people with felony convictions. Congress would also gain explicit power to pass laws protecting this fundamental right.
Supporters Say
Supporters argue this amendment would strengthen democracy by universally guaranteeing voting access for all eligible citizens.
Critics Say
Potential critics might argue this oversteps states' rights to manage elections or could lead to federal overreach.
Proponents believe a constitutional guarantee would ensure voting access, making it uniform across states and preventing discriminatory practices. They point to the need for clear federal protection of this core democratic principle. Opponents often raise concerns about federalizing election rules, preferring that states retain primary control over their electoral processes and qualifications.