VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

That was the message Virginia Beach residents sent to Virginia Beach City Council during Tuesday’s discussion about a possible referendum to be added to the November ballot that would ask voters to choose whether they want to continue using the 10-1 voting system or use a 7-3-1 voting system.

Many say their mind is already made up.

Virginia Beach residents turned out Tuesday in overwhelming support of the 10-1 voting system, saying there’s no need to have a referendum to consider changing it.

The November 2022 and 2024 elections in Virginia Beach were held using the 10-1 system. Under that system, the city is divided into 10 districts, and the voters of each district elect a single council member with the mayor elected at-large, meaning citywide.

The other option is a 7-3-1 system, which means the city is divided into seven districts, with the voters of each district electing a single councilmember, with three other councilmembers and the mayor elected at-large. One by one, residents spoke up, many in favor of the 10-1.

“When we went to 10-1, we were able to diversify the city and have each city councilmember have a smaller chunk, and that smaller chunk got more attention from their representative,” said Virginia Beach resident Susan Hippen.

Some residents spoke out in favor of the council moving forward with the referendum.

“Something’s wrong here and you know what it is? It’s the law,” said Virginia Beach resident Rick Kowalewitch. “You have to follow the law.”

City Council used Tuesday to simply to listen to their constituents.

“Writing, knowing and listening is important, so that’s why you didn’t hear us say anything,” said District 4 councilmember Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond. “We were to be active listeners and I hope I portrayed that.

Tuesday night’s meeting was only an opportunity for the council to hear from the public. A vote is set to happen in May.