Virginia Voters Face Two Constitutional Amendments That Could Limit Parental Authority

Virginia’s upcoming election will feature two constitutional amendment proposals that critics say threaten parental oversight and religious freedom. Ballot Question 1, the “Reproductive Freedom Amendment,” would extend a claimed fundamental right to all individuals, including minors, allowing abortions without parental involvement and opening the door for unlicensed providers to operate. Ballot Question 2 aims to remove the current definition of marriage as between one man and one woman and distinguishes sex from gender, raising concerns about locker-room access and the protection of women’s spaces.

The state legislature turned down parental-consent provisions for both measures in 2025 and 2026, leaving the proposals unchanged. Opponents argue that passing these amendments would erode parental authority over health decisions and embed controversial gender ideology into the highest law of the Commonwealth. Voters are encouraged to vote “no” on both questions to maintain existing abortion regulations and the traditional marriage definition. Information on the campaign is available at CatholicsVoteNo.com.