Bill > HB51

This bill modifies Virginia law regarding local elections by removing a previous requirement that elections for mayor, local governing body members, and elected school board members be held during the November general election. Specifically, the bill eliminates language that mandated such elections occur in November starting in 2022, effectively allowing localities to return to holding these elections in May. The bill provides additional flexibility for cities and towns that transitioned their election timing between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2026, by allowing them to pass an ordinance to revert back to May elections. This change gives local governments more autonomy in determining the timing of their elections, undoing a previous statewide mandate that consolidated local elections with the November general election. The bill repeals a previous enactment related to election timing and provides a specific window for localities to modify their election schedules through local ordinance.

Government Affairs

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB51