City Council on Tuesday endorsed codifying the 10-district voting system in Virginia Beach’s charter, joining the majority of citizens who supported the system in a referendum.
The 10-1 was used in the past two local election cycles for council and School Board races. However, the city hadn't changed its charter to reflect a system first imposed in a federal voting rights case in which a judge found its old system denied minority voters their right to select candidates of their choice under the U.S. Voting Rights Act.
A series of court matters and political complications followed, but 53.4% of voters this month supported the 10-1 over a “modified” version of the controversial former 7-3-1 system.
Now, some hope the referendum result — and the council vote to “join its voice to that of the voters” — will lead to a permanent system and stability for voting in the commonwealth’s most populous city.
Councilmember Jennifer Rouse, who has supported the 10-1, thanked her colleagues who backed the resolution and the citizens.
“I celebrate with them and look forward to sending this off to the General Assembly who will do the work of tightening it up, and then the work will continue to get prepared for elections in 2026,” Rouse said during an interview following the vote.
Before the vote, Mayor Bobby Dyer, who had supported the 7-3-1 system during the referendum campaign, said he had pledged to follow the will of the voters.
Councilmember Stacy Cummings, who campaigned against the 10-1 and donated to a referendum committee opposing it, explained why he co-sponsored Tuesday's resolution and would support requesting the charter change.
He said the city had been divided for years by what system to use. “The question has been addressed by two court decisions, our city council twice, our state legislature twice, our governor,” he said. “Finally, the question was asked of our Virginia Beach citizens in the form of a referendum on the ballot earlier this month.”
The people spoke, Cummings said.
“This is the time to unite and implement the will of the people,” he said.
Earlier in the day, advocates for the 10-1 system held a press conference urging unanimous council support for the charter amendment.
Bernita Richardson of the Vote Yes on 10-1 Referendum Coalition urged council to continue the system and formalize it.
“It offers profound benefits for our community — enhanced accountability, fairer representation and compliance with current federal law,” Richardson said.
Sean Monteiro, chairperson of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee and a member of the coalition, urged the council to “leave zero doubt that 10-1 is the settled, undeniable will” of citizens. The coalition will not disband, he said.
“We’ll march this victory all the way to the General Assembly and the governor’s mansion,” he said.
Four members of the General Assembly delegation from Virginia Beach issued a joint letter urging the council to vote to send an official letter to the legislature seeking the charter change. The joint letter was signed by state Sen. Aaron Rouse and Dels. Alex Askew, Kelly Convirs-Fowler and Michael Feggans, all Democrats.
“The 10-1 system has proven that representation becomes more accountable, responsive and equitable when every community has a dedicated voice on City Council and the School Board,” it read.
“Taking this action will provide much-needed legal clarity and stability, giving our residents confidence that the rules governing our city are consistent and dependable,” the letter said. “We also hope that those who opposed the 10-1 system will join us in respecting the decision made by Virginia Beach.”
Several members of the public spoke in favor of the 10-1 and unanimous council support before Tuesday’s vote.
Ultimately, the vote passed, 9-0, with members Michael Berlucchi and Barbara Henley absent.
