RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia House of Delegates' Privileges and Elections committee advanced three Democrat-led constitutional amendments on Wednesday. These proposed amendments would enshrine abortion access and marriage equality, as well as the automatic restoration of felons' voting rights, in the state's constitution. This initial step towards passage -- which would still be years away, given the complicated process involved in amending Virginia's constitution -- was taken during a scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The three proposed amendments are House Joint Resolutions 1, 2 and 9. HJ 1, sponsored by Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) -- who also serves as the House Majority Leader -- would guarantee abortion access for Virginians through the first two trimesters. It would allow the state to impose restrictions if an abortion is thought to be necessary in the third trimester. PREVIOUS: Virginia Dems to consider abortion amendment in what Republicans call ‘unusual’ meeting This proposed amendment advanced on a 12-9 vote, along party lines. All Democratic delegates were in favor and all Republican delegates were against. HJ 2, sponsored by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-Alexandria), would make the process of restoring voting rights to felons who have served their sentences automatic. Under the current constitution, felons' rights must be manually reinstated by the current Governor. This proposed amendment advanced on a 12-9 vote. HJ 9, sponsored by Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax), would repeal the current constitutional provision that defines marriage as only a union between a woman and a man, as well as related provisions that go against the Obergefell v. Hodges decision. It would instead enshrine marriage as a "fundamental right inherent in the liberty of persons," unrestricted by factors like sex, gender or race. This proposed amendment had some bipartisan support, advancing on a 16-5 vote. Republican Delegates Mike Cherry (Colonial Heights), Otto Wachsmann, Jr. (Brunswick), Chad Green (Gloucester) and Robert Bloxom, Jr. (Accomack) voted in favor. Democrats have said this move is necessary as -- despite the fact that Virginia passed a marriage equality bill in May -- the current constitutional language would make marriage between two people of the same sex illegal in Virginia if Obergefell v. Hodges was overturned. These proposed amendments will now proceed to the House floor when the General Assembly reconvenes in 2025.