CHESAPEAKE — City Council rejected a request to poll voters in the November election on a potential change to how elections work in the city.
After roughly 60 speakers showed up to nearly fully packed City Council chambers Tuesday, a 6-3 vote rejected a request to place an advisory referendum on the ballot asking voters about transitioning to a single-member ward voting system.
City Council, school board members and the mayor are elected in an at-large system in which the candidates with the most votes from across the city win open seats. In a single-member district system, representatives must live in their district and only residents in the district can vote for their representative. Some positions, such as mayor, would still be elected at-large. Other cities, such as Norfolk, have a mix of wards and superwards for local elections.
The advisory referendum would have asked voters if the city charter should be amended to elect eight council members in single-member voting districts and the mayor at-large. Additional legislative action would have been required to adopt the change.
The request to consider the item was made last month by council member Don Carey, who said he’s heard pleas from residents to contemplate a district voting system since his election in 2020. He hoped to see the referendum on a ballot this year since voter turnout will be higher during a presidential election.
Carey said he previously would have been against single-member district voting, but after serving in office, he realized how challenging it is for each member to adequately respond to constituent concerns across the more than 350-square-mile city.
“I think (residents) should have the confidence of knowing that there is an individual who understands the historical nuances of their neighborhoods, who know the people of their neighborhoods, who can be held accountable to the citizens who are within that neighborhood,” Carey said. “There are many parts of our city who have completely stepped away from the political process of voting and coming to council and wanting to hear from us simply because they feel as if their voice has no meaning and it has no sway.”
Several speakers said certain areas of the city are currently overrepresented while others — such as South Norfolk, Indian River, Bowers Hill, Georgetown and Camelot — don’t have much of a voice, leading to political apathy and low voter turnout.
“Here in Chesapeake, only some of us enjoy the privilege of being heard through our vote,” said resident Jennifer Naperala.
George Reed with the New Chesapeake Men for Progress, a nonprofit that works to support and mentor Black youth and elevate Black leaders, said the issue is about “representation and equality for all.”
“I attend civic leagues, I’ve talked to hundreds of citizens, particularly in the minority community,” Reed said. “They don’t come out to vote because they don’t see you as representative. That kind of apathy exists.”
Council members Robert Ike and Ella Ward joined Carey in voting for the ballot referendum. Ike said he didn’t know where he stood on the issue generally and wanted to hear from voters. Ward noted how difficult it is for council members to campaign in Virginia’s second most populous city, which boasts more than 250,000 people.
Council member Amanda Newins said she voted against the measure because it would have punted control to the General Assembly. In a city staff memo, City Attorney Catherine Lindley said approving the resolution would have required the city to submit the results to one or more state legislators representing Chesapeake, who could then file a bill in the next General Assembly session to change the city’s charter. Any city charter change requires approval from the General Assembly.
Mayor Rick West echoed Newins’ sentiments before voting against the measure. Council member Daniel Whitaker agreed that though it was challenging to campaign in an at-large system, he’d “do it all over again” because he believes nine overall representatives are better than one for each district.
Many of those who spoke in favor of the district voting system noted at-large voting systems can dilute minority votes, especially in a city of Chesapeake’s size and demographics.
Others warned the city could end up spending much more money fighting this issue in courts, which is what happened in Virginia Beach years ago. Virginia Beach overhauled its election system from at-large to single district as a result of a federal lawsuit filed in 2017 that alleged the at-large was illegal and diluted minority voting power. A federal judge agreed in 2021, and the court imposed a district-based election system on Virginia Beach. The system was used for the first time in the 2022 elections and the effects were immediately evident. The council sworn into office in 2023 was the most diverse — and possibly the youngest — in city history with four Black representatives and four members under 45.
In Chesapeake, opponents questioned the need for such a change, crediting the city with good leadership and a good reputation with the system already in place. Some said it was premature and that too little was known while also characterizing it as divisive. Some said it could result in council members only prioritizing their own districts.
“The city of Chesapeake must be doing something right,” said resident Al Cobb. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Shortly after rejecting one ballot referendum request, council members deferred a vote on another that would ask voters about a fee to restore the city’s previous curbside recycling services. They expect to revisit the discussion and vote in July.
The process for getting a referendum on the ballot is carried out primarily through the Circuit Court. Once council approves any resolutions calling for one, the city attorney’s office then petitions the court for a referendum order, according to City Attorney Catherine Lindley, who cited state code. If approved, the petition and order must be entered by the court at least 81 days before the Nov. 5 election in order to make it on the ballot in time.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
