The League of Women Voters supports HB 168. In a 2025 election, the voters of Virginia Beach, by a solid majority, approved updating the city charter to reflect the existing 10-1 district system. The single district system ensures fair, equal, and accountable representation to all citizens in all areas of the City of Virginia Beach, and has been successfully used since 2022. The League recommends that the city charter be updated without further delay.

Virginia Beach voters have used this district system, called 10-1, through two elections and are familiar with how it works. Virginia Beach voters overwhelmingly approve of the 10-1 district system, most recently in a 2025 referendum. This district system ensures that all Virginia Beach communities have a representative on the city council and on the school board and the representatives feel accountable to their district. The district system results in fair, equal, accountable representation. The 10 districts are small enough to lower the cost of campaigning and encourage more people to run for office, giving voters more choice. This is extremely important to me.

As a Virginia Beach voter, I support HB168 because it codifies the reality in our city. Since 2022, through two elections, we have voted for city council and school board from single member districts. Voters are familiar with this system and overwhelmingly supported it in a 2025 referendum. I like the accountability of having our own representative looking out for our community interests in addition to the welfare of the whole city. I especially like the diversity it has brought to our elected bodies. Please vote in favor of HB168, Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single member districts.