The1996Virginia State Elections took place onElection Day, November 5, 1996, the same day as thepresidential,U.S. Senate, andU.S. House elections in the state. The only statewide elections on the ballot were five constitutionalreferendums to amend theVirginia State Constitution. Because Virginia state elections are held on off-years, no statewide officers or state legislative elections were held. All referendums werereferred to the voters by theVirginia General Assembly.[1]
This amendment asked voters to turn all state employees'investments in the government-controlledretirement fund system intotrust fund accounts.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 Yes | 1,717,244 | 83.13 |
| No | 348,369 | 16.87 |
| Total votes | 2,065,613 | 100.00 |
| Source:- Official Results | ||
The Victims' Rights Act amendment asked voters the following question:
"Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to provide that thevictims of crime shall be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect in thecriminal justice process and that the General Assembly may define, by law, the rights of victims of crime?"
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 1,748,942 | 84.17 |
| No | 328,995 | 15.83 |
| Total votes | 2,077,937 | 100.00 |
| Source:- Official Results | ||
This amendment gives the General Assembly the right to appeal any case against the Commonwealth (which is normally done by theAttorney General of Virginia) as long as the appeal does not violate the Virginia State Constitution or theU.S. Constitution.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 1,423,167 | 70.41 |
| No | 598,010 | 29.59 |
| Total votes | 2,021,177 | 100.00 |
| Source:- Official Results | ||
This amendment adjustedvoter registration laws in order to bring them into compliance with theNational Voter Registration Act.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 1,498,496 | 73.98 |
| No | 527,042 | 26.02 |
| Total votes | 2,025,538 | 100.00 |
| Source:- Official Results | ||
This amendment would have removed language which prohibited the General Assembly from passing a law permitting incorporation of any church or religious organization. Although the amendment was narrowly rejected, the aforementioned language in the Virginia State Constitution was ruledunconstitutional by theUnited States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in the caseFalwell v. Miller in 2002.[2] The language was later removed by anotheramendment in2006.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 No | 1,016,262 | 50.91 |
| Yes | 979,833 | 49.09 |
| Total votes | 1,996,095 | 100.00 |
| Source:- Official Results | ||
