NOTE: This video is previous coverage from 7/1/25
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – The city of Virginia Beach informed voters Thursday that a referendum question will be on the ballot regarding the 10-1 system.
The question will read: “Should the method of city council elections set forth in the Virginia Beach City Charter be changed from a modified 7-3-1 system to a 10-1 system?“
- A “yes” vote means that you support the 10-1 system, which was used in the 2022 and 2024 city council elections. In the 10-1 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 (city-wide).
- A “no” vote means you support the 7-3-1 system described in the current city charter as modified by a general law change that occurred in 2021. In the modified 7-3-1 system, the city is divided into 7 districts and the voters of each district elect a single council member, with three other council members and the mayor elected at-large (city-wide).
On July 1, a 2023 vote taken by City Council on the 10-1 system was ruled as void by a judge, but the decision on what system to use to elect council and School Board members was put off.
“Every voting change we’ve ever had in our city, beginning with the merger in 1963, the citizens of Virginia Beach have determined by referendum their voting system,” former City Council member Linwood Branch said. “We broke with precedent this time, but I’m glad seven members of council are now going to get us back to having the citizens have that opportunity. It’s their vote. It’s no one else’s.”
Resources will be listed on the referendum website to explain why the question is on the ballot, along with frequently asked questions and recordings of City Council meetings and materials from the meetings.
Additional information will be provided leading up to Sept. 19, which is the start of early voting.