Municipal elections; shifting elections to November. (SB1157)
Introduced By
Sen. Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake) with support from co-patron Del. Nancy Guy (D-Virginia Beach)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✓ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
✓ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Shifting municipal elections to November. Shifts all municipal elections for city and town council and school board from May to November, beginning with elections held after January 1, 2022. Read the Bill »
Status
01/21/2021: Passed the Senate
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/07/2021 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/21 21100131D |
| 01/07/2021 | Referred to Committee on Local Government |
| 01/15/2021 | Impact statement from DPB (SB1157) |
| 01/18/2021 | Reported from Local Government (12-Y 3-N) (see vote tally) |
| 01/19/2021 | Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
| 01/20/2021 | Amendment by Senator Petersen withdrawn |
| 01/20/2021 | Read second time and engrossed |
| 01/20/2021 | Impact statement from DHCD/CLG (SB1157) |
| 01/21/2021 | Read third time and passed Senate (19-Y 19-N) (see vote tally) |
| 01/21/2021 | Chair votes Yes |
Comments
Passage of this bill would drastically increase voter participation in local elections across Virginia. May elections suffer from low turnout. This isn't just a problem in Virginia, but nationwide, when local elections occur during other months than November. Wherever you are from in the United States, NOVEMBER means it is time to vote. Continuing to hold local elections in May is problematic because it results in elected officials that are not as accountable to the electorate and gives an ever greater advantage for incumbents to retain their office. It is also expensive for localities to hold these elections when they could be consolidated to November and the cost savings could be used for other programs. It is also confusing to voters when some localities vote in May and others in November. As far as the public is concerned, most people don't understand why these elections aren't already in November. It is an issue that people can agree on across party lines. The shift needs to be made for more convenience and cost savings and less confusion on when to vote for local officials in Virginia.
This bill would ruin our local city/county elections. Voters need to know who they are voting for and why. Throwing everyone in on one date does not help voters. Most of them don't have a clue who are what they are voting for. Poll workers still end up explaining the ballot. I agree that the National Elections should be held in November, but let the States make their own schedule for their local leaders.
This bill rules and is awesome.