10-28-2026 7:14pm

VIRGINIA VOTERS TO DECIDE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION 2 ON MARRIAGE

John Williams Editor

Proposed Amendment Would Remove Virginia Constitution’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban

by The Staff of the Spotsylvania Gazette

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. — Virginia voters will decide this fall whether to change the state Constitution’s provisions governing marriage.

Constitutional Amendment Question 2 is one of three proposed amendments appearing on Virginia’s Nov. 3 ballot.

The question concerns Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, which currently states that only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid or recognized by the Commonwealth.

THE QUESTION ON THE BALLOT

Virginia voters will see the following question:

“Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law?”

WHAT WOULD CHANGE?

If approved, the amendment would remove the existing language defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman.

In its place, the Virginia Constitution would state that marriage is “one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness.”

The proposed amendment would also prohibit Virginia and its political subdivisions from denying a marriage license to two adults seeking a lawful marriage on the basis of their sex, gender or race.

It would require the Commonwealth to recognize lawful marriages between two adults and treat those marriages equally under the law regardless of sex, gender or race.

WHAT DOES A “YES” VOTE MEAN?

A YES vote would approve the proposed constitutional amendment.

The existing constitutional provision limiting marriage to one man and one woman would be removed and replaced with the new language protecting marriage between two adults regardless of sex, gender or race.

WHAT DOES A “NO” VOTE MEAN?

A NO vote would reject the proposed constitutional amendment.

The existing marriage language in the Virginia Constitution would remain unchanged.

WHY IS THIS ON THE BALLOT?

Changing the Constitution of Virginia requires more than passage of an ordinary law.

A proposed constitutional amendment must pass the General Assembly during two separate legislative sessions, with a House of Delegates election occurring between them. It is then submitted to Virginia voters for final approval or rejection.

Question 2 has completed that legislative process and is now before the voters.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

If a majority of voters casting ballots on Question 2 vote YES, the amendment will become part of the Constitution of Virginia and take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

If a majority votes NO, the Constitution will not be amended and its existing marriage provision will remain.

The Spotsylvania Gazette does not endorse a position on constitutional amendments. This article is intended to explain the question and what a YES or NO vote would mean.

Virginia voters will make the final decision on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Sources: Virginia General Assembly; Code of Virginia; Virginia Department of Elections.

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