{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3226.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3226.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3226.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3226.html"}],"law_id":59682,"edition_id":1,"section_id":59682,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3226","catch_line":"Redistricting and elections in city or town following annexation; registration and transfer of registration of voters in annexed territory","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.24; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1054; 1970, c. 172; 1974, c. 401; 1976, c. 9; 1977, c. 307; 1994, c. 293; 1997, c. 587; 2001, Sp. Sess. I, c. 3.","full_text":"A\n\nWhenever the boundaries of a city or town, which elects its council by wards or districts, have been expanded through annexation, subject to the provisions of § 24.2-304.1, the council of the city or town shall redistrict the municipality into wards or districts, change the boundaries of existing wards or districts, or increase or diminish the number of wards or districts to incorporate the additional territory.B\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-312, there shall be an election for members of council on the first Tuesday in May following the effective date of annexation for terms to commence on July 1 following the election; however, upon the approval of the governing bodies affected and the special court, such election may be on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November following the effective date of annexation for terms to commence on January 1 following the election. If council members are chosen on an at-large basis the election shall be held for the unexpired portion of the term of each council member whose term extends beyond July 1 immediately following the effective date of annexation. If council members are chosen on a ward basis, the election shall be held for each ward affected by the annexation. However, no such election shall be held as a result of an annexation instituted under § 15.2-3202 or § 15.2-3203, unless the city or town increases its population by more than five percent due to the annexation.C\n\nThe registration records of voters residing in the annexed areas shall be transferred, and the appropriate notice given, in accordance with § 24.2-114. Any person residing in the annexed territory who has not registered shall be entitled to register and vote in the city or town if he would have been entitled to register and vote at the next election of the county.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":218562,"text":"Whenever the boundaries of a city or town, which elects its council by wards or districts, have been expanded through annexation, subject to the provisions of § 24.2-304.1, the council of the city or town shall redistrict the municipality into wards or districts, change the boundaries of existing wards or districts, or increase or diminish the number of wards or districts to incorporate the additional territory.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":218563,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-312, there shall be an election for members of council on the first Tuesday in May following the effective date of annexation for terms to commence on July 1 following the election; however, upon the approval of the governing bodies affected and the special court, such election may be on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November following the effective date of annexation for terms to commence on January 1 following the election. If council members are chosen on an at-large basis the election shall be held for the unexpired portion of the term of each council member whose term extends beyond July 1 immediately following the effective date of annexation. If council members are chosen on a ward basis, the election shall be held for each ward affected by the annexation. However, no such election shall be held as a result of an annexation instituted under § 15.2-3202 or § 15.2-3203, unless the city or town increases its population by more than five percent due to the annexation.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":218564,"text":"The registration records of voters residing in the annexed areas shall be transferred, and the appropriate notice given, in accordance with § 24.2-114. Any person residing in the annexed territory who has not registered shall be entitled to register and vote in the city or town if he would have been entitled to register and vote at the next election of the county.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14197,"edition_id":1,"name":"Annexation","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14196,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:14","permalink":{"id":157029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14197,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1","url":"\/15.2\/III\/32\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14196,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities","identifier":"32","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13062,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:14","permalink":{"id":157027,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14196,"identifier":"32","token":"15.2\/III\/32","url":"\/15.2\/III\/32\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13062,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boundary Adjustments and Changes of Status of Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","permalink":{"id":156919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13062,"identifier":"III","token":"15.2\/III","url":"\/15.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55382,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3200","catch_line":"Boundaries of cities and towns to remain as established until changed","url":"\/15.2-3200\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3200","metadata":false},{"id":59036,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3201","catch_line":"Temporary restrictions on granting of city charters, filing annexation notices, institutions of annexation proceedings, and county immunity proceedings","url":"\/15.2-3201\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3201","metadata":false},{"id":61095,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3202","catch_line":"Ordinance for annexation by city or town; appointment of special court","url":"\/15.2-3202\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3202","metadata":false},{"id":86092,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3203","catch_line":"Petition by voters of adjacent territory, or governing body of adjacent county or town, for annexation; voluntary agreement by governing body to reject annexation","url":"\/15.2-3203\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3203","metadata":false},{"id":68591,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3204","catch_line":"Notice of motion; service and publication","url":"\/15.2-3204\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3204","metadata":false},{"id":58157,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3205","catch_line":"Additional parties","url":"\/15.2-3205\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3205","metadata":false},{"id":59962,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3206","catch_line":"Conflicting petitions for same territory; petition seeking territory lying in two or more counties; procedure","url":"\/15.2-3206\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3206","metadata":false},{"id":60706,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3207","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","url":"\/15.2-3207\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3207","metadata":false},{"id":86591,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3208","catch_line":"Assistance of state agencies","url":"\/15.2-3208\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3208","metadata":false},{"id":82850,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3209","catch_line":"Hearing and decision","url":"\/15.2-3209\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3209","metadata":false},{"id":78006,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3210","catch_line":"Boundary line where territory fronts on river, bay, etc","url":"\/15.2-3210\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3210","metadata":false},{"id":78982,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3211","catch_line":"Powers of court and rules of decision; terms and conditions","url":"\/15.2-3211\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3211","metadata":false},{"id":77661,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3212","catch_line":"Determination of value of public improvements","url":"\/15.2-3212\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3212","metadata":false},{"id":84741,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3213","catch_line":"Declining to accept annexation on terms and conditions imposed by court","url":"\/15.2-3213\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3213","metadata":false},{"id":67908,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3214","catch_line":"Costs","url":"\/15.2-3214\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3214","metadata":false},{"id":68243,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3215","catch_line":"County reimbursement for town annexation proceedings","url":"\/15.2-3215\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3215","metadata":false},{"id":55866,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3216","catch_line":"Proceedings not to fail for technical or procedural defects or errors","url":"\/15.2-3216\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3216","metadata":false},{"id":78542,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3217","catch_line":"Court granting annexation to exist for 10 years","url":"\/15.2-3217\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3217","metadata":false},{"id":83032,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3218","catch_line":"Continued existence of court under certain conditions","url":"\/15.2-3218\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3218","metadata":false},{"id":58153,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3219","catch_line":"Reduced taxation on real estate in territory added to corporate limits","url":"\/15.2-3219\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3219","metadata":false},{"id":84911,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3220","catch_line":"Mandamus and prohibition","url":"\/15.2-3220\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3220","metadata":false},{"id":80539,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3221","catch_line":"Appeals; how heard","url":"\/15.2-3221\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3221","metadata":false},{"id":66778,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3222","catch_line":"What order to be entered by the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals","url":"\/15.2-3222\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3222","metadata":false},{"id":71173,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3223","catch_line":"What order and proceedings clerk to certify, and where same shall be recorded; fees","url":"\/15.2-3223\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3223","metadata":false},{"id":76192,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3224","catch_line":"Commissioner of revenue for the county to certify list of real estate in annexed territory to commissioner of revenue","url":"\/15.2-3224\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3224","metadata":false},{"id":56194,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3225","catch_line":"County or district officers resident in annexed territory to remain in office; reelection","url":"\/15.2-3225\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3225","metadata":false},{"id":59682,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3226","catch_line":"Redistricting and elections in city or town following annexation; registration and transfer of registration of voters in annexed territory","url":"\/15.2-3226\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3226","metadata":false},{"id":76459,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3227","catch_line":"Annexation proceedings final for 10 years","url":"\/15.2-3227\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3227","metadata":false},{"id":60831,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3228","catch_line":"County not to be reduced to insufficient area, population or sources of revenue","url":"\/15.2-3228\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3228","metadata":false},{"id":71498,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3229","catch_line":"Annexation of whole town","url":"\/15.2-3229\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3229","metadata":false},{"id":72086,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3230","catch_line":"Article not applicable to consolidation of two cities","url":"\/15.2-3230\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3230","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":56194,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3225","catch_line":"County or district officers resident in annexed territory to remain in office; reelection","url":"\/15.2-3225\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3225","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76459,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3227","catch_line":"Annexation proceedings final for 10 years","url":"\/15.2-3227\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3227","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3226\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 328; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1970, chapter 172; in 1974, chapter 401; in 1976, chapter 9; in 1977, chapter 307; in 1994, chapter 293<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":75841,"section_number":"15.2-3400","catch_line":"Voluntary settlements among local governments","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3400\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":61095,"section_number":"15.2-3202","catch_line":"Ordinance for annexation by city or town; appointment of special court","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3202\/"},{"id":86092,"section_number":"15.2-3203","catch_line":"Petition by voters of adjacent territory, or governing body of adjacent county or town, for annexation; voluntary agreement by governing body to reject annexation","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3203\/"},{"id":68918,"section_number":"24.2-114","catch_line":"Duties and powers of general registrar","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-114\/"},{"id":81384,"section_number":"24.2-304.1","catch_line":"At-large and district elections; reapportionment and redistricting of districts or wards; limits","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-304.1\/"},{"id":55880,"section_number":"24.2-312","catch_line":"Effective date of other redistricting measures; elections following annexation","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-312\/"}],"permalink":{"id":157135,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59682,"identifier":"15.2-3226","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3226","url":"\/15.2-3226\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3226\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3226","dublin_core":{"Title":"Redistricting and elections in city or town following annexation; registration and transfer of registration of voters in annexed territory","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3226","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Whenever the boundaries of a city<\/span> or town<\/span>, which elects its council<\/span> by wards or districts, have been expanded through annexation, subject to the provisions of § 24.2-304.1<\/a>, the council<\/span> of the city<\/span> or town<\/span> shall redistrict the municipality into wards or districts, change the boundaries of existing wards or districts, or increase or diminish the number of wards or districts to incorporate the additional territory. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-312<\/a>, there shall be an election for members of council<\/span> on the first Tuesday in May following the effective date of annexation for terms to commence on July 1 following the election; however, upon the approval of the governing bodies affected and the special court<\/span>, such election may be on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November following the effective date of annexation for terms to commence on January 1 following the election. If council<\/span> members are chosen on an at-large basis the election shall be held for the unexpired portion of the term of each council<\/span> member whose term extends beyond July 1 immediately following the effective date of annexation. If council<\/span> members are chosen on a ward basis, the election shall be held for each ward affected by the annexation. However, no such election shall be held as a result of an annexation instituted under § 15.2-3202<\/a> or § 15.2-3203<\/a>, unless the city<\/span> or town<\/span> increases its population by more than five percent due to the annexation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The registration records of voters<\/span> residing in the annexed areas shall be transferred, and the appropriate notice given, in accordance with § 24.2-114<\/a>. Any person residing in the annexed territory who has not registered shall be entitled to register and vote in the city<\/span> or town<\/span> if he would have been entitled to register and vote at the next election of the county<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREDISTRICTING AND ELECTIONS IN CITY OR TOWN FOLLOWING ANNEXATION; REGISTRATION\nAND TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION OF VOTERS IN ANNEXED TERRITORY (\u00a7 15.2-3226)\n\nA. Whenever the boundaries of a city or town, which elects its council by wards\nor districts, have been expanded through annexation, subject to the provisions\nof § 24.2-304.1, the council of the city or town shall redistrict the\nmunicipality into wards or districts, change the boundaries of existing wards or\ndistricts, or increase or diminish the number of wards or districts to\nincorporate the additional territory.\n\nB. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-312, there shall be an election\nfor members of council on the first Tuesday in May following the effective date\nof annexation for terms to commence on July 1 following the election; however,\nupon the approval of the governing bodies affected and the special court, such\nelection may be on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November following the\neffective date of annexation for terms to commence on January 1 following the\nelection. If council members are chosen on an at-large basis the election shall\nbe held for the unexpired portion of the term of each council member whose term\nextends beyond July 1 immediately following the effective date of annexation. If\ncouncil members are chosen on a ward basis, the election shall be held for each\nward affected by the annexation. However, no such election shall be held as a\nresult of an annexation instituted under § 15.2-3202 or § 15.2-3203,\nunless the city or town increases its population by more than five percent due\nto the annexation.\n\nC. The registration records of voters residing in the annexed areas shall be\ntransferred, and the appropriate notice given, in accordance with §\n24.2-114. Any person residing in the annexed territory who has not registered\nshall be entitled to register and vote in the city or town if he would have been\nentitled to register and vote at the next election of the county.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.24; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1054;\n1970, c. 172; 1974, c. 401; 1976, c. 9; 1977, c. 307; 1994, c. 293; 1997, c.\n587; 2001, Sp. Sess. I, c. 3.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}