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

Bill Number

S.J.Res. 186

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2055)

Last Updated

2026-06-08T18:34:13Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This joint resolution (S.J. Res. 186) proposes a constitutional amendment to establish voting as a fundamental right for U.S. citizens and provide strong protections against its denial or restriction.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Guarantees that every U.S. citizen of legal voting age (typically 18) has the right to vote in any public election in their residential jurisdiction.
• Section 2: Prohibits the U.S. government, states, or local governments from denying or limiting this right unless it serves a compelling governmental interest (a very important reason) and uses the least restrictive means (the narrowest possible method).
• Section 3: Removes the phrase "or other crime" from Section 2 of the 14th Amendment, which currently allows states to bar voting for certain crimes.
• Section 4: Grants Congress authority to pass laws enforcing the amendment and preventing voting rights violations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Elevates voting to a fundamental right, subjecting restrictions to strict scrutiny (the highest legal standard, requiring overwhelming justification).
• Eliminates the constitutional basis for broad felony disenfranchisement (barring people convicted of crimes from voting), overriding current state practices allowed under the 14th Amendment.

Potential Impacts

• Citizens: Could expand access to voting for millions, especially those with criminal records, felons, and ex-offenders, making it harder for governments to impose barriers like strict ID laws or purging voter rolls.
• Government agencies: States and localities must justify any voting limits rigorously; election officials may face new compliance burdens.
• Congress: Gains expanded power to regulate elections nationwide via enforcement laws.
• No direct impact on international relations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. citizens, particularly legal-age voters, felons, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
• State and local governments, including election administrators and legislatures.
• Congress, which would enforce the amendment.
• Political parties and advocacy groups focused on voting rights or election integrity.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Constitutional: Requires approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of states to become law; would override conflicting state laws and reinterpret existing amendments like the 14th and 15th.
• Legal: Shifts burden to governments to prove voting restrictions are essential and minimal, likely invalidating many current rules (e.g., some voter ID requirements or purge practices).
• Political: Could reshape elections by enfranchising more voters (e.g., in states with large disenfranchised populations), sparking debates on federal vs. state power over elections. As a proposed amendment introduced April 27, 2026, by Senators Durbin and others, it reflects ongoing voting rights tensions but faces high ratification hurdles.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Cosponsors (9)

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2055)
• 2026-04-27: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to the fundamental right to vote. — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (2 pages)