The Virginia House of Delegates passed resolutions on Tuesday enshrining rights to abortion, voting and marriage equality in a critical step for Democrats hoping to amend the state's constitution next year.

It’s not easy to amend Virginia’s constitution, but Democrats in the House of Delegates took the first step to amend it three times Tuesday.

House of Delegates passed three state constitutional amendments Tuesday that would enshrine in state law reproductive rights, same-sex marriage and automatic restoration of voting rights for people who had completed felony sentences.

The Virginia House of Delegates has passed resolutions to protect abortion, voting rights, and marriage equality, paving the way for constitutional amendments.

The House also backed proposed amendments on restoration of rights for felons who have served their time and to remove moot language barring same-sex marriage.

After a long and spirited debate, Virginia House Democrats have advanced a proposed constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.