Virginia Law

Article 4. Election Districts.

Within ninety days after the adoption of the urban county executive form of government, the board, after holding a public hearing thereon, shall divide the county into from five to eleven districts. Each district shall be composed of contiguous and compact territory and shall be so constituted as to give, as nearly as is practicable, representation in proportion to the population in the district.

These districts shall serve as the electoral divisions for elections of members of the urban county board of supervisors, and as sanitary districts under the provisions of Article 5 (§ 15.2-858), and shall have such other functions as are specified herein.

Each district shall have at least one of its residents who is a qualified voter of the district appointed to the local planning commission of the county and to the county school board. Each member of the county school board shall be appointed for terms and serve in accordance with all the provisions of § 15.2-837.

Code 1950, § 15-384.74; 1960, c. 382; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-787; 1966, c. 464; 1968, c. 797; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 201; 1973, c. 545; 1997, c. 587.

After the publication of the official results of each United States decennial census, the board shall make such changes in district boundaries as are required to meet the tests of equitable population distribution among the districts with a minimum disruption of the then existing district pattern of service. In 1971 and every ten years thereafter, and also whenever the boundaries of such districts are changed, the board shall reapportion the representation in the governing body among the districts, and may, within the limits established in § 15.2-855, increase or decrease the number of districts.

Each such reapportionment, other than decennial, shall become effective on January 1 following the year in which it occurs. If such reapportionment, other than decennial, results in the creation of a district or districts in which no member of the governing body resides, such vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided for by § 15.2-802. Each decennial reapportionment shall become effective as provided in § 24.2-311.

Code 1950, § 15-384.75; 1960, c. 382; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-788; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 201; 1972, c. 852; 1981, c. 12; 1990, c. 500; 1997, c. 587.

Whenever the board changes the boundaries, or increases or diminishes the number of districts, or reapportions the representation in the board as prescribed hereinabove, such action shall not be subject to judicial review, except as otherwise provided in § 24.2-304.4. Whenever the board fails to reapportion the representation among the districts of such county, or fails to change the boundaries of districts, mandamus shall lie on behalf of any citizen thereof to compel performance by the board.

1971, Ex. Sess., c. 201, § 15.1-788.1; 1997, c. 587.