CHAPTER 220
An Act to provide for a special election relating to transition of a city to town status.
[H 173]
Approved April 8, 2022
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 41 (§ 15.2-4100 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia, the circuit court for the City of Martinsville, prior to entering an order granting town status pursuant to such chapter, shall first require an election to be held as provided in § 2.
§ 2. The court shall require the regular election officers of the city, at the succeeding November general election, to open a poll and take the sense of the qualified voters of the city on the question submitted as hereinafter provided.
§ 3. The regular election officers shall conduct the election as provided by general law, insofar as is applicable. The ballot shall contain the following question:
"Question: Shall the City of Martinsville become a town?"
§ 4. The ballots shall be prepared, distributed, and voted, and the results of the election shall be ascertained and certified, in the manner prescribed by § 24.2-684 of the Code of Virginia.
§ 5. If it appears by the report certified by the secretary of the electoral board that a majority of the qualified voters of the city voting on the question are in favor of the transition from city to town status, the special court shall enter the order granting town status in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 41 (§ 15.2-4100 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia. All other provisions of such chapter shall continue to be applicable.
2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2026.