A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to the fundamental right to vote.
Summary
SJR186 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would establish a fundamental right to vote for U.S. citizens of legal voting age in public elections held where they reside. It would prohibit the federal government, states, and local governments from denying or abridging that right unless the restriction serves a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of achieving that interest, a standard similar to strict scrutiny.
The resolution also proposes repealing the phrase “or other crime” from Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which is the constitutional language that has long been associated with allowing states to disenfranchise people for felony convictions. In addition, it would give Congress explicit enforcement power to protect the right to vote through legislation. Because this is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, it would not change state law on its own unless ratified by three-fourths of the states.
Impact
If adopted and ratified, the amendment would significantly alter the constitutional framework governing voting rights by elevating voting to an explicit fundamental right and limiting the ability of states and localities to impose voting restrictions. It would also affect the legal basis for laws that restrict voting by people with criminal convictions by repealing the Fourteenth Amendment’s “or other crime” language. The measure would expand Congress’s authority to enact federal voting-rights protections and could affect state election laws, voter eligibility rules, and litigation standards for voting restrictions.
Sentiment
The available record shows the resolution was introduced by Senator Durbin and several Democratic cosponsors and then referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, with no recorded votes or committee debate included in the provided materials. Based on the sponsorship and the substance of the proposal, the bill appears to reflect strong support among its sponsors for expanding and constitutionalizing voting rights. No opposing arguments or formal objections are documented in the supplied context.
Contention
The main points of contention likely concern the scope of federal power over elections, the strict scrutiny standard for any voting restriction, and the repeal of the constitutional language tied to disenfranchisement for criminal convictions. Supporters would view the proposal as a broad protection for access to the ballot, while critics may argue it could limit states’ flexibility to administer elections, regulate voter eligibility, or maintain certain voting restrictions. No specific committee or floor objections are provided in the record, so these issues are inferred from the text of the resolution itself.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.