Harrisonburg Ballot Measures, Explained Simply: November 3, 2026
Each measure below is explained in plain words, from the official ballot language and the City of Harrisonburg. For every one we say what a yes vote means and what a no vote means. This page does not tell you how to vote.
Election day is November 3, 2026. Last updated October 10, 2026. For the candidates, see what's on the ballot in Harrisonburg.
Statewide
Proposed Constitutional Amendment Question 1Proposed Constitutional Amendment Question 1
Today, Virginia’s Constitution does not specifically protect a person’s choices about reproductive care. This change would add that protection, including choices about pregnancy care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage care, and fertility care. It would allow rules about abortion in the third trimester, but not a ban when a doctor says care is needed for the pregnant person’s life or health, or the fetus cannot survive.
- If Yes wins
- A yes vote means this protection for reproductive-care decisions would be added to the Virginia Constitution, with the stated exceptions for third-trimester abortion rules.
- If No wins
- A no vote means the Constitution would not gain this new protection for reproductive-care decisions. The Constitution would remain as it is now on this issue.
- How it got on the ballot: Referred to voters by the Virginia General Assembly.
Explained from Virginia Department of Elections — Question 1 explanation and amendment text. Listed by Virginia Department of Elections — November 2026 proposed constitutional amendments and local referenda.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment Question 2Proposed Constitutional Amendment Question 2
Today, same-sex couples can marry because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision, even though Virginia’s Constitution still has wording against it. This change would remove that wording and say two adults can marry regardless of sex, gender, or race. It would also require the state to treat all lawful marriages equally.
- If Yes wins
- A yes vote means the Constitution’s ban wording would be removed and the Constitution would protect marriage between two adults regardless of sex, gender, or race.
- If No wins
- A no vote means the Constitution would keep its current wording about marriage. Same-sex marriage is allowed now because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision, but that wording would stay in the Constitution.
- How it got on the ballot: Referred to voters by the Virginia General Assembly.
Explained from Virginia Department of Elections — Question 2 explanation and amendment text. Listed by Virginia Department of Elections — November 2026 proposed constitutional amendments and local referenda.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment Question 3Proposed Constitutional Amendment Question 3
Today, Virginia’s Constitution does not state a fundamental right to vote. This change would add that right for qualified voters. A person serving time in prison for a felony could not vote while incarcerated, but would get the right back upon release; a court could also find that a person does not understand the act of voting.
- If Yes wins
- A yes vote means the Constitution would add a fundamental right to vote, with the stated exceptions for people incarcerated for a felony and people a court finds do not understand voting.
- If No wins
- A no vote means these changes to the Constitution would not be made. The current constitutional rules about voting would remain in place.
- How it got on the ballot: Referred to voters by the Virginia General Assembly.
Explained from Virginia Department of Elections — Question 3 explanation and amendment text. Listed by Virginia Department of Elections — November 2026 proposed constitutional amendments and local referenda.