Virginia Beach 10-1 Voting System: Bills Pass General Assembly

Virginia Beach is on the cusp of formally adopting a 10-district voting system, a change initially imposed by a federal judge in 2021. Bills to enshrine the “10-1” system into the city charter have now passed both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly this week, marking a significant step forward after years of legal and political hurdles.

A Contentious Path to Change

The move to a 10-1 system stems from a 2021 federal court ruling that determined the city’s previous at-large voting system diluted the voting strength of minority residents. While the 10-1 system has been in use since 2022, its legal standing has been questioned due to the lack of formal charter authorization. In November, a city-wide referendum showed 53.4% of voters favored the 10-1 system over a modified version of the previous 7-3-1 system.

Did You Know? A federal judge initially mandated the 10-1 voting system in Virginia Beach in 2021 after finding the previous at-large system diluted minority voting strength.

Past Obstacles and Current Support

Previous attempts to update the city charter faced resistance, including a veto from former Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2024 due to ongoing litigation. Last year, the House of Delegates passed the update, but it stalled in the Senate. This year, however, the bills passed with significant margins – 27-13 in the Senate and 83-13 with one abstention in the House – demonstrating increased support. City Council unanimously endorsed the referendum result to change the charter to 10-1.

Expert Insight: The repeated attempts to codify this voting system into the city charter highlight the deep political divisions surrounding electoral representation and the ongoing struggle to balance local control with federal mandates regarding voting rights.

What’s Next?

The bills now enter a process where each chamber will consider the version passed by the other. If both chambers agree on a final version, it will be sent to Governor Abigail Spanberger for her signature. If signed, the city charter will be officially updated to reflect the 10-1 voting system. However, a pending case before the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the Voting Rights Act could potentially impact the future of the system.

Some, like State Senator Bill DeSteph, argue that the 10-1 system limits voter choice compared to the previous 7-3-1 system, which allowed citizens to vote for five of eleven council members. Councilmember David Hutcheson, however, believes the 10-1 system makes representatives more responsive to their constituents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 10-1 voting system?

The 10-1 system divides Virginia Beach into 10 districts, each with a representative elected by voters within that district. Voters also elect the mayor citywide.

Why was the voting system changed?

A federal judge found that the city’s former at-large voting system diluted the voting strength of minority residents, leading to the implementation of the 10-1 system.

What happens if Governor Spanberger vetoes the bill?

If Governor Spanberger vetoes the bill, the General Assembly could attempt to override the veto, but it is not certain if they would have the necessary votes.

As Virginia Beach moves closer to finalizing this change, will this new system lead to greater representation and civic engagement for all residents?