Lawsuit against 10:1 voting system in Virginia Beach goes to court

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – A judge has ruled that a lawsuit against the city of Virginia Beach over its 10-1 voting system will go to trial.

The lawsuit claims the city is required by charter to follow a different voting system. In the meantime, the judge declared that the 2024 election will continue with the current 10-1 voting system.

“The city is encouraged that the court has dismissed the entire challenge to the 2022 election and denied the plaintiffs' motion to enjoin the 2024 election,” said Assistant City Attorney Christopher Boynton in a statement. “We look forward to presenting additional evidence at trial as to why the Virginia Voting Rights Act compelled the city to adopt the 10-1 system.”

The lawsuit was originally filed earlier this year in Virginia Beach District Court by a group that includes former City Councilman Linwood Branch, alleging that the city had disenfranchised voters by using the 10-1 voting system.

RELATED TOPICS: Lawsuit filed over new 10-1 voting system in Virginia Beach, alleging it violates city charter

The 10-1 system means residents can only vote for candidates in their district. Before the system was introduced in November 2022, Virginia Beach had an at-large system, meaning residents could vote for any candidate citywide.

An earlier lawsuit claimed the city's at-large system disadvantaged minorities. In 2020, a federal judge agreed with that argument, declaring the at-large system illegal and ordering the use of a 10-to-1 voting system.

In May of this year, a judge denied an injunction that would have prevented Virginia Beach from using its 10-1 voting system.

RELATED: Judge rejects injunction to stop use of 10-1 voting system in Virginia Beach

Boynton said the judge's denial of the injunction means the system will remain in effect even if the lawsuit goes to trial in 2024.

A hearing date has not yet been set.