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Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment (2026)

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Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment

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Election date

November 3, 2026

Topic
Abortion policy and Constitutional rights
Status

On the ballot

Type
Legislatively referred constitutional amendment
Origin

State legislature



The Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment is on the ballot in Virginia as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026.

A "yes" vote supports adding a section to the state constitution that establishes a right to reproductive freedom

A "no" vote opposes amending the state constitution and establishing right to reproductive freedom


Overview

What would the constitutional amendment do?

See also: Text of measure

The amendment would amend the Virginia Constitution to establish the right to reproductive freedom. The amendment defines this as "the right to make and effectuate one's own decisions about all matters related to one's pregnancy."[1]

The amendment would provide that this right would not be infringed upon, unless justified by compelling state interest.[1] The amendment would prohibit the state from prosecuting or penalizing a mother or another individual from receiving or aiding in a miscarriage, stillbirth, or an abortion.

Measure design

Click on the following sections for summaries of the different provisions of the ballot initiative.[1]


Expand All
Definition of right to reproductive freedom
Definition of compelling state interest
Protection from penalization or prosecution


Text of measure

Constitutional changes

See also: Article I, Virginia Constitution

The ballot measure would add a Section 11-A to Article I of the Virginia Constitution. The following underlined text would be added and struck-through text would be deleted:[1]

Note: Hover over the text and scroll to see the full text.

Section 11-A. Fundamental right to reproductive freedom.

That every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including the ability to make and carry out decisions relating to one's own prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management, and fertility care.

An individual's right to reproductive freedom shall not be, directly or indirectly, denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.

Notwithstanding the above, the Commonwealth may regulate the provision of abortion care in the third trimester, provided that in no circumstance shall the Commonwealth prohibit an abortion (i) that in the professional judgment of a physician is medically indicated to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual or (ii) when in the professional judgment of a physician the fetus is not viable.

The Commonwealth shall not discriminate in the protection or enforcement of this fundamental right.

The Commonwealth shall not penalize, prosecute, or otherwise take adverse action against an individual based on such individual's own exercise of this fundamental right or such individual's own actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. The Commonwealth shall not penalize, prosecute, or otherwise take adverse action against any individual for aiding or assisting another individual in exercising such other individual's right to reproductive freedom with such other individual's voluntary consent.

For the purposes of this section, a state interest is compelling only if it is for the limited purpose of maintaining or improving the health of an individual seeking care, consistent with accepted clinical standards of care and evidence-based medicine, and does not infringe on that individual's autonomous decision making.

This section shall be self-executing. Any provision of this section held invalid shall be severable from the remaining portions of the section.[2]

Support

VirginiansforReproductiveFreedom.png

Virginians for Reproductive Freedom is leading the campaign in support of the amendment.[3]

Supporters

Officials

Organizations

  • ACLU of Virginia
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Virginia
  • Equality Virginia
  • Freedom Virginia
  • League of Women Voters of Virginia
  • National Council of Jewish Women Virginia
  • National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice Virginia
  • Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia
  • Progress Virginia
  • Reproductive Freedom For All

Arguments

  • State Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-38): "This is a victory for every woman and girl in the Commonwealth who believes in the right to make personal healthcare decisions without government interference. By protecting reproductive freedom in our constitution, we are standing up for the rights, health, and autonomy of Virginians. This amendment ensures that individuals, not politicians, are in control of these deeply personal decisions, reflecting the values of freedom that we hold dear."
  • LaTwyla Mathias, executive director at Progress Virginia: "We trust that pregnant people can make the best decisions about their bodies and their families, and we trust healthcare providers to provide the highest standard of care. Politicians in Richmond with no medical training have no business making these extremely intimate and personal decisions for us, and we believe our constitution needs to protect these basic liberties."
  • House Majority Leader Charniele Herring (D-4): "Our voters, our constituents, our residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia can no longer allow politicians to control their bodies and their personal decision, whether it is accessing contraception or determining whether they want IVF and fertility treatment to start their families."


Opposition

Opponents

Officials

Candidates

Former Officials

Organizations

  • Heritage Action for America
  • Students for Life Action
  • Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
  • The Family Foundation of Virginia
  • Virginia Catholic Conference
  • Virginia Society for Human Life
  • Women Speak Out Virginia

Arguments

  • State Sen. Mark Peake (R-8): "There's no age mentioned in the constitutional amendment that just says any individual has a right to an abortion, doesn't distinguish between adults and minors so we're very concerned that will do away with parental consent."
  • Virginia Catholic Conference: "This radical amendment goes far beyond even what Roe v. Wade previously allowed. It would enshrine virtually unlimited abortion at any stage of pregnancy, with no age restriction. Among numerous other problems, it would severely jeopardize Virginia’s parental consent law, conscience protections for healthcare providers, health and safety standards for women, and restrictions on taxpayer-funded abortions. Most tragically of all, the extreme abortion amendment provides no protections whatsoever for preborn children."
  • Virginia Society for Human Life: "If the amendment becomes law it will most certainly lock Virginia in a terrible situation. We will become a permanent destination for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy for women from all over the South. It will remove the opportunity and responsibility of our legislators to pass even the most sensible regulations and will put women as well as their babies in harm's way. The interpretation of the amendment by the courts will also likely force medical personnel to participate in abortion activity or quit their practices. Perhaps most alarming could be court challenges to Virginia’s Parental Consent law which will put minor girls in the hands of unscrupulous abortionists."


Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls and 2026 ballot measure polls
Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment (2026)
PollDatesSample sizeMargin of errorSupportOpposeUndecided
Virginia Commonwealth University
Question

"This past November, the Virginia House of Delegates advanced a joint resolution seeking to place abortion rights in the Virginia State Constitution. Do you agree or disagree with this resolution?"

806 Residents
± 4.73%
62.0%30.0%9.0%
The Wason Center
Question

"Would you support or oppose amending Virginia's constitution to guarantee reproductive rights, such as access to contraception and abortion?"

806 RV
± 3.60%
61.0%32.0%8.0%
The Wason Center
Question

"Would you support or oppose amending Virginia's constitution to guarantee reproductive rights, such as access to contraception and abortion? And would you say you strongly support/oppose or just support/oppose?"

807 RV
± 4.40%
66.0%28.0%6.0%
Note: LV is likely voters, RV is registered voters, and EV is eligible voters.

Background

Status of abortion in Virginia

See also: Abortion regulations by state

As of 2026, abortion is legal up until the third trimester based on a woman's last menstrual period in Virginia. In Virginia, state law allows for exceptions to the ban on abortions in the third trimester based on a threat to the mother's life or general health.[4] State Medicaid funding is limited to abortions performed due to a threat to the mother's life, a fetal abnormality, or pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.[5]

Abortion regulations by state

As of January 7, 2026, 41 states restricted abortions after a certain point in pregnancy.[6] The remaining nine states and Washington, D.C., did not. Of the 41 states with established thresholds for restrictions on abortion:

  • Thirteen states restrict abortion after conception
  • Four states restrict abortion at six weeks post-fertilization
  • Two states restrict abortion at 12 weeks post-fertilization
  • Zero states restrict abortion at 15 weeks post-fertilization
  • One state restricts abortion at 18 weeks since the last menstrual period
  • Three states restrict abortion at 20 weeks post-fertilization or 22 weeks after the last menstrual period
  • Four states restrict abortion at 24 weeks since the last menstrual period
  • Thirteen states restrict abortion at fetal viability
  • One state restricts abortion in the third trimester

The maps and table below give more details on state laws restricting abortion based on the stage of pregnancy. Hover over the footnotes in the table for information on legislation pending legal challenges or otherwise not yet in effect.

Some of the terms that are used to describe states' thresholds for abortion restriction include the following:

  1. Conception: This threshold prohibits all abortions after conception, although some states provide exceptions if the woman's life or health is threatened.[7]
  2. Fetal heartbeat: This threshold restricts abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which may begin six weeks after the last menstrual period.[8][9]
  3. Fetal viability: In Roe v. Wade, SCOTUS defined fetal viability. The Supreme Court further noted that "viability is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks."[10]
  4. Last menstrual period: This threshold marks the beginning of a pregnancy from the first day of a woman's last menstrual period.[8]
  5. Post-fertilization: Thresholds using post-fertilization mark the beginning of pregnancy at the time of conception, which can occur up to 24 hours following intercourse. A threshold of 20 weeks post-fertilization is equivalent to 22 weeks since last menstrual period.[11]
  6. Post-implantation: Thresholds using post-implantation mark the beginning of pregnancy at the date on which a fertilized egg adheres to the lining of the uterus, roughly five days after fertilization. A threshold of 24 weeks post-implantation is equivalent to 27 weeks since last menstrual period.[11]

Abortion restriction threshold maps

Expand All
Fetal viability
Conception
Fixed-week and trimester cutoffs


Abortion restrictions by state

State abortion restrictions based on stage of pregnancy
State Does the state restrict abortion after a specific point in pregnancy? Threshold for restriction
Alabama Yes Conception
Alaska No None
Arizona Yes Fetal viability[12][13]
Arkansas Yes Conception
California Yes Fetal viability
Colorado No None
Connecticut Yes Fetal viability
Delaware Yes Fetal viability
Florida Yes Six weeks post-fertilization
Georgia Yes Six weeks post-fertilization
Hawaii Yes Fetal viability
Idaho[14] Yes Conception
Illinois Yes Fetal viability
Indiana Yes Conception
Iowa Yes Six weeks post-fertilization
Kansas Yes 20 weeks since last menstrual period
Kentucky Yes Conception
Louisiana Yes Conception
Maine Yes Fetal viability
Maryland No None
Massachusetts Yes 24 weeks post-fertilization
Michigan No None
Minnesota No None
Mississippi Yes Conception
Missouri Yes Fetal viability[15][16]
Montana Yes Fetal viability
Nebraska Yes 12 weeks post-fertilization
Nevada Yes 24 weeks post-fertilization
New Hampshire Yes 24 weeks since last menstrual period
New Jersey No None
New Mexico No None
New York Yes Fetal viability
North Carolina Yes 12 weeks post-fertilization
North Dakota Yes Conception[17][18]
Ohio Yes 20 weeks post-fertilization[19]
Oklahoma Yes Conception
Oregon No None
Pennsylvania Yes 24 weeks since last menstrual period
Rhode Island Yes Fetal viability
South Carolina Yes Six weeks post-fertilization
South Dakota Yes Conception
Tennessee Yes Conception
Texas Yes Conception
Utah Yes 18 weeks since last menstrual period
Vermont No None
Virginia Yes Third trimester since last menstrual period
Washington Yes Fetal viability
Washington, D.C. No None
West Virginia Yes Conception
Wisconsin Yes 20 weeks post-fertilization
Wyoming Yes Fetal viability[20]
Sources:Guttmacher Institute, "State Policies on Later Abortions," accessed August 16, 2024; CNA, "TRACKER: Check the status of abortion trigger laws across the U.S.," accessed August 16, 2024; The Fuller Project, "How major abortion laws compare, state by state," accessed August 16, 2024

History of abortion ballot measures

See also: History of abortion ballot measures

In 2024, 11 statewide ballot measures related to abortion were certified in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Nevada, and South Dakota for the general election ballot on November 5 — the most on record for a single year.

Ten of the ballot measures addressed state constitutional rights to abortion. Voters approved seven of them in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New York, and Nevada, while three measures were defeated in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota. One, in Nebraska, to limit the timeframe for when an abortion can be performed was approved.

From 1970 to 2025, there were 65 abortion-related state-wide ballot measures, and 44 (68%) of these had the support of organizations that described themselves as pro-life. Voters approved 12 (27%) and rejected 32 (73%) of these 44 ballot measures. The other 21 abortion-related ballot measures had the support of organizations that described themselves as pro-choice or pro-reproductive rights. Voters approved 15 (71%) and rejected six (29%).

Before Roe v. Wade in 1973, three abortion-related measures were on the ballot in Michigan, North Dakota, and Washington, and each was designed to allow abortion in its respective state.

The following graph shows the number of abortion-related ballot measures per year since 1970:

State constitutional rights and abortion-related ballot measures

Constitutional rights

The topic constitutional rights addresses ballot measures that establish a state constitutional right to abortion. Campaigns that support these measures often describe themselves as pro-choice or pro-reproductive rights.

State Year Measure Yes No Outcome
Arizona 2024 Proposition 139, Right to Abortion Initiative 61.61% 38.39%
Approveda
Colorado 2024 Right to Abortion and Health Insurance Coverage Initiative 61.97% 38.03%
Approveda
Florida 2024 Amendment 4, Right to Abortion Initiative[21] 57.17% 42.83%
Defeatedd
Maryland 2024 Maryland Question 1, Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment 76.06% 23.94%
Approveda
Missouri 2024 Missouri Amendment 3, Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative 51.60% 48.40%
Approveda
Montana 2024 CI-128, Right to Abortion Initiative 57.76% 42.24%
Approveda
Nebraska 2024 Nebraska Initiative 439, Right to Abortion Amendment 49.01% 50.99%
Defeatedd
Nevada 2024 Nevada Question 6, Right to Abortion Initiative 64.36% 35.64%
Approveda
New York 2024 New York Proposal 1, Equal Protection of Law Amendment 62.47% 37.53%
Approveda
South Dakota 2024 Constitutional Amendment G, Right to Abortion Initiative 41.41% 58.59%
Defeatedd
Ohio 2023 Issue 1: Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative 56.78% 43.22%
Approveda
California 2022 Proposition 1: Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment 66.88% 33.12%
Approveda
Michigan 2022 Proposal 3: Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative 56.66% 43.34%
Approveda
Vermont 2022 Proposal 5: Right to Personal Reproductive Autonomy Amendment 76.77% 23.23%
Approveda


Constitutional interpretation

The topic constitutional interpretation addresses ballot measures designed to provide that state constitutions cannot be interpreted to establish a state constitutional right to abortion. These types of amendments are designed to address previous and future state court rulings on abortion that have prevented or could prevent legislatures from passing certain abortion laws. Campaigns that support these measures often describe themselves as pro-life.

State Year Measure Yes No Outcome
Kansas 2022 No State Constitutional Right to Abortion and Legislative Power to Regulate Abortion Amendment 41.03% 58.97%
Defeatedd
Kentucky 2022 No State Constitutional Right to Abortion Amendment 47.65% 52.35%
Defeatedd
Louisiana 2020 Amendment 1: No Right to Abortion in Constitution Amendment 62.06% 37.94%
Approveda
Alabama 2018 Amendment 2: State Abortion Policy Amendment 59.01% 40.99%
Approveda
West Virginia 2018 Amendment 1: No Right to Abortion in Constitution Measure 51.73% 48.27%
Approveda
Tennessee 2014 Amendment 1: No State Constitutional Right to Abortion and Legislative Power to Regulate Abortion Amendment 52.60% 47.40%
Approveda
Florida 2012 Amendment 6: State Constitution Interpretation and Prohibit Public Funds for Abortions Amendment 44.90% 55.10%
Defeatedd
Massachusetts 1986 Question 1: No State Constitutional Right to Abortion and Legislative Power to Regulate Abortion Amendment 41.83% 58.17%
Defeatedd


Path to the ballot

Amending the Virginia Constitution

See also: Amending the Virginia Constitution

A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions for the Virginia General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Virginia House of Delegates and 21 votes in the Virginia State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Versions of the amendment introduced in the 2024-2025 legislative session

Two versions of the amendment were introduced in the state House and Senate during the 2024-2025 legislative session: House Joint Resolution 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 247.

House Joint Resolution 1

The amendment was introduced as House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR 1) on November 11, 2024. On January 14, 2025, the amendment passed the House by 51-48. On January 31, the amendment passed the Senate by 21-18.[22]


Virginia House of Delegates
Voted on January 14, 2025
Votes Required to Pass: 51
YesNoNV
Total51481
Total %51.0%48.0%1.0%
Democratic (D)5100
Republican (R)0481
Virginia State Senate
Voted on January 31, 2025
Votes Required to Pass: 21
YesNoNV
Total21181
Total %52.5%45.0%2.5%
Democratic (D)2100
Republican (R)0181


Senate Joint Resolution 247

The amendment was introduced to the state Senate as Senate Joint Resolution 247 (SJR 247) on November 25, 2024. On January 21, 2025, the amendment passed the Senate by 21-19. The House passed SJR 247 on February 13, 2025, in a vote of 51-46.[23]


Virginia State Senate
Voted on January 21, 2025
Votes Required to Pass: 21
YesNoNV
Total21190
Total %52.5%47.5%10.0%
Democratic (D)2100
Republican (R)0190
Virginia House of Delegates
Voted on February 13, 2025
Votes Required to Pass: 51
YesNoNV
Total51463
Total %51.0%46.0%3.0%
Democratic (D)5100
Republican (R)0463

Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2025

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2025

Democrats expanded their majority in the Virginia House of Delegates on November 4, 2025, gaining 13 seats. Twelve Republican incumbents lost in Virginia, tying 2017 for the most incumbents defeated since 2011. Heading into the 2025 elections, Democrats had a 51-49 majority in the House.

House Joint Resolution 1 (2026)

Below is a timeline of the bill in the state legislature:[24]

  • November 17, 2025: State Del. Charniele Herring (D-4) introduced House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR 1) to the state legislature in a prefile document.
  • January 14, 2026: The House Privileges and Elections Committee voted 'yes' on the amendment in a vote of 15-7. The state House approved HJR 1 in a vote of 64-34, with two members absent or not voting. Sixty-four Democrats voted yes, 34 Republicans voted no, and two Republicans were absent. Additionally, the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee voted 'yes' on the amendment in a vote of 8-5.
  • January 16, 2026: The state Senate approved HJR 1 in a vote of 21-18. Twenty-one Democrats voted yes and 18 Republicans voted no. One Republican did not vote.


Partisan Direction Index = -100.0% (Democratic)
Democratic Support
100.0%
Republican Support
0.0%
How does this vote compare to other legislative ballot measures in 2025?
Learn more about the ballot measures PDI →
Virginia House of Delegates
Voted on January 14, 2026
Votes Required to Pass: 51
YesNoNV
Total64342
Total %64.0%34.0%2.0%
Democratic (D)6400
Republican (R)0342
Virginia State Senate
Voted on January 16, 2026
Votes Required to Pass: 21
YesNoNV
Total21181
Total %52.5%45.0%2.5%
Democratic (D)2100
Republican (R)0181

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Virginia

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Virginia.

How to vote in Virginia


See also

2026 ballot measures

View other measures certified for the 2026 ballot across the U.S. and in Virginia.

Virginia ballot measures

Explore Virginia's ballot measure history, including constitutional amendments.

Legislative process

Understand how measures are placed on the ballot and the rules that apply.


External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Virginia State Legislative Information System, "House Joint Resolution 1," accessed January 16, 2026
  2. 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content
  3. Virginians for Reproductive Freedom, "Homepage," accessed January 26, 2026
  4. Guttmacher, "State Bans on Abortion Throughout Pregnancy," accessed January 29, 2026
  5. The Fuller Project, "How major abortion laws compare, state by state," accessed January 29, 2026
  6. Note: Exceptions to these thresholds are generally provided when pregnancy threatens the mother's life or health.
  7. The Fuller Project, "How major abortion laws compare, state by state," accessed December 4, 2022
  8. 8.0 8.1 Kaiser Family Foundation, "States with Gestational Limits for Abortion," August 1, 2020
  9. Guttmacher Institute, "State Bans on Abortion Throughout Pregnancy," September 1, 2021
  10. Supreme Court of the United States, Roe v. Wade, January 22, 1973
  11. 11.0 11.1 Guttmacher Institute, "The Implications of Defining When a Woman Is Pregnant," May 9, 2005
  12. Voters approved Proposition 139 on November 5, 2024, amending the state constitution to provide for the fundamental right to abortion, among other provisions. The amendment was set to go into effect once Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) certified the election results following the November 25, 2024, canvass deadline.
  13. Axios, "When Arizona's new abortion measure will take effect," November 7, 2024
  14. In a 6-3 decision in Moyle v. United States (consolidated with Idaho v. United States), the U.S. Supreme Court on June 27, 2024, reinstated a U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho ruling that temporarily blocked the state of Idaho from enforcing the part of a 2022 law that barred abortion in case of certain medical emergencies.
  15. Voters approved Amendment 3, which provided for a right to abortion in the state constitution. The amendment was set to take effect 30 days after the election.
  16. Missouri Independent, "Missouri voters approve Amendment 3, overturn state’s abortion ban," November 5, 2024
  17. On November 21, 2025, the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled that SB 2150, a law prohibiting most abortions, was constitutional. While only two of the five justices believed the law was constitutional, it would have taken four justices to overturn the law.
  18. North Dakota Monitor, "North Dakota abortion ban deemed constitutional in split opinion from state Supreme Court," November 21, 2025
  19. Ohio voters approved Issue 1 in 2023, allowing the state to restrict abortion only after fetal viability. However, the state's previous restrictions on abortion—such as SB 127, which banned abortion at 20 weeks post-fertilization—remained on the books. As of August 2024, courts had not weighed in on the interaction between Issue 1 and the older laws.
  20. The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled on January 7, 2026, that two 2023 laws that placed restrictions on abortion and abortion pills violated the Wyoming Constitution
  21. Note: Florida Amendment 4 needed to receive a 60% vote to be approved.
  22. Virginia Legislative Information Center, "HJR 1," accessed January 22, 2025
  23. Virginia Legislative Information Center, "SJ247," accessed January 22, 2025
  24. Virginia State Legislative Information System, "Overview of HJ1," accessed January 15, 2026
  25. Virginia Department of Elections, "Election and Voter FAQ," accessed December 23, 2025
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 Virginia Department of Elections, "How to Register," accessed December 23, 2025
  27. 27.0 27.1 Virginia Department of Elections, "Same-Day Voter Registration," accessed December 23, 2025
  28. Office of the Governor of Virginia, "Governor Northam Signs Sweeping New Laws to Expand Access to Voting," April 12, 2020
  29. Virginia Department of Elections, "Virginia Voter Registration Application," accessed December 23, 2025
  30. Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
  31. Virginia Department of Elections, "Voting on Election Day," accessed December 23, 2025