summary
Introduced
02/27/2026
02/27/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
03/11/2026
03/11/2026
Passed
03/11/2026
03/11/2026
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Commending the first Black voters in Virginia.
AI Summary
This resolution commends the first Black voters in Virginia for their pivotal role in the state's history, particularly during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. It acknowledges that after the abolition of slavery and the passage of amendments like the Thirteenth and Fourteenth, which defined citizenship and equal protection, Black men in Virginia, numbering over 105,000, registered to vote and participated in the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1867–1868. This convention, established under the Reconstruction Acts to readmit former Confederate states, saw 24 Black delegates elected, and the resulting 1869 Virginia Constitution, which took effect in 1870, established universal male suffrage and other significant reforms like the first statewide public school system. The resolution highlights that these early Black voters paved the way for broader participation in the electoral process for all Black men and women in the Commonwealth, and it directs the Clerk of the House of Delegates to prepare a copy of this commendation for presentation, expressing admiration for their contributions to Virginia's advancement.
Sponsors (69)
Delores McQuinn (D)*,
Kimberly Adams (D),
Jessica Anderson (D),
Bonita Anthony (D),
Alex Askew (D),
Terry Austin (R),
Jason Ballard (R),
Gretchen Bulova (D),
Katrina Callsen (D),
Kacey Carnegie (D),
Betsy Carr (D),
Stacey Carroll (D),
Nadarius Clark (D),
Laura Jane Cohen (D),
Joshua Cole (D),
Nicole Cole (D),
Kelly Convirs-Fowler (D),
Rae Cousins (D),
William Davis (R),
Karrie Delaney (D),
Lindsey Dougherty (D),
Michael Feggans (D),
Lily Franklin (D),
Debra Gardner (D),
Jackie Glass (D),
Elizabeth Guzmán (D),
C.E. Hayes (D),
Dan Helmer (D),
Phil Hernandez (D),
Charniele Herring (D),
Patrick Hope (D),
Karen Keys-Gamarra (D),
Paul Krizek (D),
Amy Laufer (D),
Destiny LeVere Bolling (D),
Michelle Lopes-Maldonado (D),
Alfonso Lopez (D),
John Chilton McAuliff (D),
Adele McClure (D),
Garrett McGuire (D),
Ellen McLaughlin (R),
Kirk McPike (D),
Leslie Chambers Mehta (D),
May Nivar (D),
Israel O'Quinn (R),
Delores Oates (R),
Justin Pence (R),
Eric Phillips (R),
Marcia Price (D),
Sam Rasoul (D),
Atoosa Reaser (D),
David Reid (D),
Chris Runion (R),
Charlie Schmidt (D),
Holly Seibold (D),
Irene Shin (D),
Marcus Simon (D),
Shelly Simonds (D),
Richard Sullivan (D),
Josh Thomas (D),
Virgil Thornton (D),
Luke Torian (D),
Kathy Tran (D),
Howard Wachsmann (R),
Jeion Ward (D),
Lee Ware (R),
Vivian Watts (D),
Michael Webert (R),
Rodney Willett (D),
Last Action
Agreed to by House by voice vote (on 03/11/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HR194 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HR194/text/HR194 |
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