S.J.Res. 186 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 27, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryConstitutional amendment on the right to vote
This proposes a constitutional amendment that would establish voting as a fundamental right for every U.S. citizen of legal voting age in their home jurisdiction. It would prevent the United States, states, and local governments from limiting that right, except when necessary to serve a compelling governmental interest in the least restrictive way possible. The amendment would also remove a current constitutional provision that allows states to deny voting rights based on criminal convictions.
How it affects you
If this amendment were ratified, it would most directly affect people who are currently denied the right to vote due to felony convictions, as those restrictions would be lifted by repealing the constitutional basis for them. For all voters, it would establish voting as a constitutionally protected fundamental right, which could affect how voting restrictions are evaluated going forward.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 27, 2026)
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment related to the fundamental right to vote.
Specifically, it grants every U.S. citizen of legal voting age the fundamental right to vote in any public election held in the jurisdiction in which the citizen resides.
Next, it specifies that the fundamental right to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, a state, or a political subdivision of a state, unless the denial or abridgment is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest by the least restrictive means.
Finally, it repeals a specific portion of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which allows for the denial of the right to vote based on crime. (Currently, some states disallow individuals from voting, either temporarily or indefinitely, after incarceration for a felony.)
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS.J.Res. 186
JOINT RESOLUTION
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to the fundamental right to vote.
Sponsor: Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) · Introduced Apr 27, 2026 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 27, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2055)”