Bill Text: VA SB1157 | 2021 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Municipal elections; shifting elections to November.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-02-08 - Continued to Special Session 1 in Privileges and Elections by voice vote [SB1157 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-SB1157-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §15.2-1400 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§15.2-1400. Governing bodies.
A. The qualified voters of every locality shall elect a governing body for such locality. The date, place, number, term, and other details of the election shall be as specified by law, general or special. Qualification for office is provided in Article 4 (§15.2-1522 et seq.) of Chapter 15.
B. The governing body of every locality shall be composed of
not fewer than three nor more than eleven 11 members.
C. Chairmen, mayors, supervisors, and councilmen are subject to the prohibitions set forth in §§15.2-1534 and 15.2-1535.
D. A governing body may punish or fine a member of the governing body for disorderly behavior.
E. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§24.2-222 and 24.2-222.1, any city or town charter, or any other provision of law, general or special, beginning with any election held after January 1, 2022, elections for mayor, members of a local governing body, or members of an elected school board shall be held at the time of the November general election for terms to commence January 1.
2. That any city or town currently providing for the election of its mayor, governing body, or school board at a May election shall, by ordinance, provide for the transition of such elections to the November general election date. No term of a mayor, a member of council, or a member of a school board shall be shortened in implementing the change to the November election date. Mayors and members of a council or school board who were elected at a May general election and whose terms are to expire as of June 30 shall continue in office until their successors have been elected at the November general election and have been qualified to serve.
