FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2026
Contact: Madelyn Kinyon, press@ghazalahashmi.com

Lieutenant Governor-elect Joins Senate and House Democrats in Passing Four Historic Constitutional Amendments

RICHMOND, VA – In a defining moment of her public service, Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi (D-Richmond) joined Virginia Democrats in advancing four landmark constitutional amendments through the Virginia General Assembly.

Today, the General Assembly advanced passage of four landmark constitutional amendments, each of which will come before Virginia voters on their ballots this year. These amendments are designed to protect families’ reproductive health care needs, secure marriage equality, implement emergency congressional redistricting measures, and restore voting rights to Virginians who have completed felony sentences, giving all citizens a direct voice in shaping both the Commonwealth and the nation’s future.

“Unprecedented attacks on our rights and on our families require that my colleagues and I enact constitutional protections to secure the right to marry, the right to vote, the right to reproductive health care, and the right to protect citizens’ voices in the federal government. These amendments send a powerful message: Virginia chooses freedom over fear, equality over exclusion, and democracy over manipulation,” Lt. Governor-elect Hashmi said.

“Today’s votes mark my final actions as a state Senator before I am sworn in as the 43rd Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia tomorrow. Concluding my service in the Senate by helping to secure lasting constitutional protections for the people of Virginia is an extraordinary honor. I am extremely proud to stand with Virginians in defense of their rights, dignity, and voices.”

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