City voters on Tuesday supported a 10-district voting system that has been used in two election cycles but was never codified in the city charter.
The victory means the process of formally including the system in the charter may go forward for state approval before Virginia Beach elections next year.
Unofficial returns show 53% of voters chose what is called a 10-1 system over a “modified” version of the city’s former 7-3-1 system.
The result could put the city closer to ending years of litigation and political wrangling about voting in City Council and School Board elections.
“The residents have spoken,” said Lisa Turner, a strategist for the groups organized to advocate for the 10-1 system. “They like their district reps and they’d like to continue seeing accountability on City Council and School Board. The 10-1 system provides all of the above."
Georgia Allen, one of the plaintiffs in the federal suit, said the 10-1 system is better for all citizens.
“The reason why it is fairer is because it’s one person, one vote,” Allen said. “So one person, one vote, no matter what district you’re in, you all have equal representation.”
Under the 10-1 system, voters pick two of the 11 members of the council or school board. Each voter selects a representative for their own district and one citywide representative. On the council, that citywide representative is the mayor.
Before the 10-1 system was used in 2022, all city voters picked all members of local bodies, even representatives for districts in which they didn’t live. That’s no longer allowed by state law.
A modified 7-3-1 system would mean voters pick their own district representative among seven residency districts, as well as four “at-large,” or citywide, representatives. The mayor would be one of the citywide representatives for the City Council.
Supporters raised more than $630,000 for a referendum committee for the 7-3-1, saying it gives citizens the power to choose more representatives and greater influence over government decisions.
Voters could pick five members, rather than two under the 10-1 system.
Leaders associated with pro-7-3-1 organizations could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.
Linwood Branch is a former member of the City Council and the lead plaintiff in a state suit that challenged the city’s use of 10-1 voting. Last week, he said more citywide seats meant more leaders are responsible to more voters.
“Hopefully, we get some more at-large people that have a greater interest in the entire city and understand the ramifications of these decisions,” Branch said.