VirginiaSB512026 Regular SessionSenate

Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts.

Sponsored By: Aaron R. Rouse (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts. Requires every locality with a population of 400,000 or greater to elect the members of its governing body by individual single-member districts. The bill provides that a governing body's presiding officer may be elected at large. The bill further provides that any such governing body that does not already meet the requirements of the bill shall establish the required districts and shall reapportion the representation in the governing body in accordance with general law. Finally, the bill provides that for any such governing body that, prior to 2026, adopted an ordinance with a map to elect its members by individual single-member districts, such ordinance shall become effective upon the effective date of this act. This bill is identical to HB 168 and contains an emergency clause.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Local elections now in November

The law holds city, town, and school board elections during the November general election for any election after January 1, 2022. It covers mayors, local governing body members, and elected school board members. Winners start their terms on January 1. Local election officials place these contests on the November ballot.

New rules for district-based local elections

If your locality requires members to live in a district or ward, only voters in that district choose that seat. In localities with 400,000 or more people, for elections held after July 1, 2026, all governing body members are elected from single-member districts with equal population. The presiding officer may still be elected at large. Localities that must change must draw districts under state redistricting rules and cannot redraw them again until after the next census. If a locality adopted a single-member district map and ordinance before 2026, that plan takes effect when this law takes effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Aaron R. Rouse

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 254 • No: 93

House vote 3/9/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 67 • No: 29

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 20 • No: 19

House vote 2/16/2026

Passed House

Yes: 72 • No: 26

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns

Yes: 16 • No: 5

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 26 • No: 14

Senate vote 1/28/2026

Local Government Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/27/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/27/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/26/2026

Reported from Local Government with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 29-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026House
  2. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0008)

    3/9/2026Governor
  3. Reenrolled bill text (SB51ER2)

    3/9/2026Senate
  4. Reenrolled

    3/9/2026Senate
  5. Approved by Governor-Chapter 8 (Effective 3/9/2026)

    3/9/2026Governor
  6. Signed by President

    3/9/2026Senate
  7. Signed by Speaker

    3/9/2026House
  8. Governor's recommendation adopted

    3/9/2026Governor
  9. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (20-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  10. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

    3/4/2026Governor
  11. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 05, 2026

    2/26/2026Governor
  12. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 26, 2026

    2/26/2026Senate
  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB51)

    2/25/2026Senate
  14. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB51ER)

    2/18/2026Senate
  15. Enrolled

    2/18/2026Senate
  16. Signed by President

    2/18/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    2/18/2026House
  18. Passed House (72-Y 26-N 0-A)

    2/16/2026House
  19. Read third time

    2/16/2026House
  20. Read second time

    2/15/2026House
  21. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (16-Y 5-N)

    2/13/2026House
  22. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

    2/4/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/4/2026House
  24. Placed on Calendar

    2/4/2026House
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB51)

    1/30/2026Senate

Bill Text

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