VirginiaSB6812026 Regular SessionSenate

Virginia Beach, City of; amending charter, transition to a city council, voting districts.

Sponsored By: Aaron R. Rouse (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Charter; City of Virginia Beach. Amends the charter for the City of Virginia Beach to reflect the City's transition to a city council consisting solely of single-member districts and the mayor. This bill is identical to HB 187 and contains an emergency clause.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Even-year elections and mayoral run rules

City council elections take place in November of even-numbered years. Terms start on January 1 after the election. When filing, a candidate must say if they run at-large, from their district, or for mayor. Council candidates are nominated by petition as state law requires. The mayor is elected at the November general election to a four-year term and cannot run for any other seat. A council member who runs for mayor must resign at least 10 days before petition filing, effective December 31. A mayor who runs for a district seat must do the same. Any open term from such a resignation is filled at the same general election.

Staggered council elections in 2024–2026

At the November 2024 election, voters elect the members for districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 and the mayor. Those seats are chosen citywide from residents of the Blackwater, Princess Anne, or Virginia Beach boroughs as they existed on January 1, 1995. These terms run from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028. In November 2026, voters elect members for districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Those terms run from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2030. After this transition, all council terms are four years.

Ten council districts set through 2030

The city now has 10 single-member council districts, numbered 1 through 10. Each district elects one council member. These district lines stay the same until redistricting after the 2030 U.S. census. The law also repeals a 2020 charter section tied to earlier election rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Aaron R. Rouse

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 258 • No: 86

House vote 3/9/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 67 • No: 27 • Other: 1

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 22 • No: 17

House vote 2/16/2026

Passed House

Yes: 72 • No: 25 • Other: 1

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns

Yes: 17 • No: 4

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 27 • No: 13

Senate vote 1/28/2026

Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

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

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 27-N 1-A)

    3/9/2026House
  2. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0009)

    3/9/2026Governor
  3. Reenrolled bill text (SB681ER2)

    3/9/2026Senate
  4. Reenrolled

    3/9/2026Senate
  5. Governor's recommendation adopted

    3/9/2026Governor
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 9 (Effective 3/9/2026)

    3/9/2026Governor
  7. Signed by President

    3/9/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    3/9/2026House
  9. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 17-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. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB681ER)

    2/18/2026Senate
  14. Enrolled

    2/18/2026Senate
  15. Signed by President

    2/18/2026Senate
  16. Signed by Speaker

    2/18/2026House
  17. Passed House (72-Y 25-N 1-A)

    2/16/2026House
  18. Read third time

    2/16/2026House
  19. Read second time

    2/15/2026House
  20. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (17-Y 4-N)

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

    2/4/2026House
  22. Read first time

    2/4/2026House
  23. Placed on Calendar

    2/4/2026House
  24. Read third time and passed Senate (27-Y 13-N 0-A)

    1/29/2026Senate
  25. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/28/2026Senate

Bill Text

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