Virginia General Assembly
Our Local League
The League of Women Voters South Hampton Roads participates in the Legislative Collaborative Table of Hampton Roads. This group is made up of representatives of 32 non-partisan nonprofits, that create a joint Virginia legislative agenda of justice issues and advocate for those agreed upon legislative priorities. The Mission of the Hampton Roads Legislative Collaborative Table (LCT) is to build our community’s civic capacity to influence legislation that will bring about equitable Economic, Social and Environmental Justice in the Hampton Roads region and all of Virginia.
The agreed upon advocacy priorities for the 2026 General Assembly are:
- Poverty/Economic Justice: address the housing deficits
- Criminal Justice Reform/Public Safety: end the dehumanizing treatment of people
- Health Inequities: protect expanded Medicaid
- Civil Rights/Anti-Discrimination: teach accurate and inclusive history
- Democracy/Voting Access: reform campaign financing
- Environmental Justice: incorporate environmental justice in land use plans
Virginia League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters of Virginia’s Legislative Priorities for 2026 include supporting constitutional amendments for the right to vote, reproductive rights, and marriage equality, as well as advocating for fair voting practices, affordable housing, and equitable funding for education. They also emphasize the importance of clean energy and criminal justice reforms.
Virginia Legislative Priorities for 2026
Voting Rights and Elections
- Right to Vote Amendment: Establish a fundamental right to vote in the Virginia Constitution, limiting restrictions to justified reasons only.
- Zuckerbucks Amendment: Clarify laws regarding private funding for election administration to ensure transparency and limit influence on election outcomes.
- Voter Registration Improvements: Support e-signatures for voter registration and maintain accurate voter rolls.
Affordable Housing
- Right of First Refusal: Allow localities to give tenants and nonprofits the first chance to purchase affordable rental properties when they are sold.
- Child Care Assistance: Eliminate waitlists for child care subsidies and expand eligibility to help more families access affordable care.
Education Funding
- Equity in Funding: Ensure fair funding for English language learners, students with disabilities, and high-poverty schools, including restoring Title I funding.
- State’s Fair Share: Require the state to meet its financial obligations for public school costs based on recommendations from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC).
Health Care and Family Support
- Paid Family and Medical Leave: Enact policies to provide paid leave for workers caring for new children or ill family members.
- Medicaid Funding: Ensure continuous funding for Medicaid, particularly for children aged 0-6.
These priorities reflect a commitment to enhancing democracy, supporting vulnerable populations, and ensuring equitable access to resources in Virginia
