A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to the fundamental right to vote.
Bill: S.J.Res.67 | Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. (D-IL)
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
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.)

117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. J. RES. 67

    Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States 
               relative to the fundamental right to vote.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 15, 2022

  Mr. Durbin (for himself, Ms. Warren, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Merkley, Ms. 
Hirono, Mr. Markey, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the 
 following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
    Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States 
               relative to the fundamental right to vote.

    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled   (two-thirds of each House 
concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be 
valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when 
ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States:

                              ``Article --

    ``Section 1. Every citizen of the United States, who is of legal 
voting age, shall have the fundamental right to vote in any public 
election held in the jurisdiction in which the citizen resides.
    ``Section 2. The fundamental right of citizens of the United States 
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any 
State or political subdivision within a State unless such denial or 
abridgment is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and 
is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling 
governmental interest.
    ``Section 3. The portion of section 2 of the fourteenth article of 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States that consists of the 
phrase `or other crime,' is repealed.
    ``Section 4. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this 
article and protect against any denial or abridgement of the 
fundamental right to vote by legislation.''.
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