Simone Lawson
The Virginia Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the state of Virginia, and it has been amended 15 times since 2006. Amendments must begin as a resolution in the General Assembly, and once approved by both legislative houses during two separate legislative sessions, the amendment must be approved by a majority of voters. In 2024, Virginia voters will be asked to decide on a constitutional amendment with a yes or no vote. The proposed amendment would expand the current tax exemption for surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action to include surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Voting method | "Yes" or "No" choice |
| Voter registration deadline | Oct. 15 |
| Election Day | Tuesday, Nov. 5 |
| Poll timings | 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Voter identification | Virginia driver's license |
| Amendment process | Legislative referral |
| Amendment requirements | Majority vote in both the state Senate and the House of Delegates |
| Amendment frequency | Amendments can only appear on the ballot in even years |
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What You'll Learn
The process of voting on constitutional amendments in VA
The process of voting on constitutional amendments in Virginia involves several steps and requirements. Firstly, it's important to note that Virginia uses the "legislative referral" method as its avenue for amending the state Constitution. This means that any proposed changes must originate as a resolution in the General Assembly, specifically in the state Senate and the House of Delegates.
For a resolution to advance, it must be approved by a majority vote in both the Senate and the House during the same session. This is referred to as the "first resolution" or "first reference." Subsequently, the resolution must be reintroduced and approved by both houses in the session immediately following a House of Delegates election. This is known as the "second resolution" or "second reference." This process ensures that amendments can only be included on general election ballots in even-numbered years.
Once a resolution has passed both houses in two separate legislative sessions, it then requires approval by a majority of voters. This majority is defined as a simple majority, or 50%+1, in each legislative chamber. The specific number of votes needed can vary but is calculated based on the total number of seats in each chamber, assuming no vacancies. For example, in the Virginia House of Delegates, a minimum of 51 votes would be required. Importantly, amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
In the case of the 2024 election, Virginia voters will decide on a constitutional amendment regarding tax exemptions for surviving spouses of soldiers. The specific question on the ballot will ask voters whether the Constitution should be amended to expand the current tax exemption, which applies to spouses of soldiers killed in action, to also include spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty. Voters will be able to cast their votes on this amendment on Election Day, November 5, 2024, by choosing "yes" or "no."
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The deadline to register to vote
While this is the deadline for standard registration, it is still possible to register to vote after this date. The Department of Elections in Virginia allows for registrations after the deadline, but voters will need to use a provisional ballot. This means that even if you miss the October 15 deadline, you can still have your say in the election.
It is important to remember that when voting at the polls, you will need to bring an acceptable form of identification. A Virginia driver's license, even if expired, is an acceptable form of ID. Other forms of ID may also be acceptable, so be sure to check with your local election authority to ensure you have the correct documentation.
The actual Election Day in Virginia is Tuesday, November 5, with polls opening at 6 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m. If you are in line at a polling place by 7 p.m., you will still be able to cast your vote.
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Where to find your polling station
To find your polling station in Virginia, you can use the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal. This can be accessed through the Department of Elections website. Here, you can enter your full address, including your ZIP code, to find your polling location, as well as information on early voting sites and ballot information for your precinct. You can also use the Citizen Portal to update your registration, apply to vote absentee, and view your election district, absentee ballot status, and voting history.
Alternatively, you can use the City GIS maps to find your polling location, as well as local and state elections district information. Here, you can search for your address and find your polling location on the property detail page under the "VB City Services" tab.
If you live in Loudoun County, polling places are listed by election district. You can select your precinct name and number to find a map of your polling place, or you can use the Polling Place Lookup link to enter your address and find your polling location.
If you are unsure of your voter registration status, you can call 757-385-8683 or visit the Department of Elections webpage.
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What to bring to the polling station
When visiting a polling station in Virginia, it is important to bring a form of identification. This can be your Virginia driver's license, even if it is expired. If you do not have a Virginia driver's license, you can bring another acceptable form of ID, which can be found on the Virginia Department of Elections website.
It is also a good idea to bring your voter registration card, although this is not required. If you are not registered to vote, you can still register at your polling station and cast a provisional ballot.
You may also want to bring a printed copy of your polling place confirmation, which you can find using the Virginia Department of Elections polling place lookup tool. This will help the poll workers direct you to the correct station and expedite the voting process.
Additionally, consider bringing a charged phone or watch so that you can be aware of the time and any updates or changes to the voting process. This will also ensure you are able to contact someone in case of an emergency or if you need assistance.
Lastly, don't forget to bring any personal items you may need, such as medication, water, a snack, and perhaps a book or other entertainment for any potential wait times.
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The proposed amendment for 2024
The Virginia Constitution currently allows the General Assembly to exempt from taxation the principal place of residence of the surviving spouse of any soldier who is determined by the U.S. Department of Defense to have been killed in action. The proposed amendment for 2024 would expand this tax exemption to surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty, including those killed in action. A "yes" vote would allow the surviving spouse of a soldier who died in the line of duty to claim the same real property tax exemption on their principal place of residence that is currently available to spouses of soldiers who were killed in action.
This proposed amendment will be on every Virginia ballot in November 2024. For the first time since 2020, Virginia ballots will ask voters to decide on a constitutional amendment change with a "yes" or "no" choice. This will be the only constitutional change happening in Virginia at the moment, as two other proposed amendments have been tabled until next year.
The process of amending the Virginia Constitution is cumbersome. Amendments must be proposed by legislators in the form of a resolution, and this resolution must be approved by a majority of both the House of Delegates and the State Senate. The resolution must then be approved a second time, but only after a legislative election. If the resolution is approved in both sessions, the proposal moves onto the ballot the following November. Since Delegates are elected in odd-numbered years, amendments can only appear on the general election ballot in even-numbered years.
In Virginia, citizens do not have the power of statewide initiatives or referendums. The Virginia State Legislature can refer statewide ballot measures, in the form of constitutional amendments, to the ballot. A simple majority vote (50%+1) in each legislative chamber is required during two successive legislative sessions to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
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Frequently asked questions
You can register to vote online through the Department’s Citizens Portal. The deadline to register to vote in Virginia, or to update an existing registration, is October 15. You can still register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot.
Virginia uses the “legislative referral” method as its sole avenue of amending the state Constitution. This means that amendments must begin as a resolution in the General Assembly. Once the resolution is approved by both legislative houses during two separate legislative sessions, the amendment must be approved by a majority of voters.
The proposed amendment for 2024 would expand the current tax exemption so that it is available to all surviving spouses of soldiers who are determined by the U.S. Department of Defense to have died in the line of duty, including those who have been killed in action.
