Virginia Beach Residents Encouraged to Vote on Election Referendum

Voters will find a referendum question about Virginia Beach’s election system on the Nov. 4 and early voting ballots, and the City of Virginia Beach wants to make sure they are able to cast informed votes. 

The ballots include the following question: 

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). 

Resources on the City’s Referendum webpage include the following: 

• Explanation of the referendum question and why it is on the ballot 
• Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) in writing and videos 
• Resources for individuals and organizations who would like to host their own discussion on the referendum 
• Information translated into Spanish and Tagalog and digital flyers and fact sheets to download and share 
• Recordings of City Council meetings on the referendum and presentation materials shared during Council meetings 
• History of election system court cases and referendums in Virginia Beach 

In addition, City Communications Office staff are sharing information at pop-up tables at Virginia Beach recreation centers, libraries and community events. The weekly schedule is provided at VirginiaBeach.gov/Referendum.   

Voting information 

Same-day registrations are allowed under Virginia law and will vote under a provisional ballot. Qualified voters who are not able to, or choose not to, go to the polls on Nov. 4 may vote in person or by mail through Nov. 1.  

In-person voting is available at the Voter Registration & Elections Office in the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, Bldg. 14, 2449 Princess Anne Road. Find the times and dates for other locations.  

For more information about voting in Virginia Beach, visit Voter.VirginiaBeach.gov.