{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3538.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3538.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3538.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3538.html"}],"law_id":57289,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57289,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3538","catch_line":"Order for election","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-224; 1950, p. 1608; 1956, c. 554; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1138; 1975, c. 517; 1979, c. 85; 1986, c. 312; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"When publication of the consolidation agreement or descriptive summary in each of the localities is completed or, in the case of a proposed consolidated new city, when the court has entered an appropriate order under the provisions of subsection A of \u00a7 15.2-3526, the respective chief judges of the circuit courts for the counties and for the cities, shall, by order entered of record in each county and city, require the regular election officers of the locality on the day fixed in the order, issued in accordance with Article 5 (\u00a7 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which date shall be the same in each of the localities proposing to consolidate, to open a poll and take the sense of the voters of each locality on the question submitted as hereinafter provided. Certification from the owner, editor or manager of each newspaper publishing the agreement or descriptive summary shall be proof of publication.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":209838,"text":"When publication of the consolidation agreement or descriptive summary in each of the localities is completed or, in the case of a proposed consolidated new city, when the court has entered an appropriate order under the provisions of subsection A of \u00a7 15.2-3526, the respective chief judges of the circuit courts for the counties and for the cities, shall, by order entered of record in each county and city, require the regular election officers of the locality on the day fixed in the order, issued in accordance with Article 5 (\u00a7 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which date shall be the same in each of the localities proposing to consolidate, to open a poll and take the sense of the voters of each locality on the question submitted as hereinafter provided. Certification from the owner, editor or manager of each newspaper publishing the agreement or descriptive summary shall be proof of publication.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13191,"edition_id":1,"name":"Consolidation of Certain Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13098,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","permalink":{"id":157351,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13191,"identifier":"2","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2","url":"\/15.2\/III\/35\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13098,"edition_id":1,"name":"Consolidation of Localities","identifier":"35","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13062,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":157267,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13098,"identifier":"35","token":"15.2\/III\/35","url":"\/15.2\/III\/35\/","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":62773,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3520","catch_line":"Counties, cities and towns specified; alternative consolidations","url":"\/15.2-3520\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3520","metadata":false},{"id":76869,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3521","catch_line":"Proposed consolidated city; notice of motion; service and publication","url":"\/15.2-3521\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3521","metadata":false},{"id":76330,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3522","catch_line":"Petition; appointment of special court","url":"\/15.2-3522\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3522","metadata":false},{"id":77723,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3523","catch_line":"Parties","url":"\/15.2-3523\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3523","metadata":false},{"id":56869,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3524","catch_line":"Time limit for intervenors","url":"\/15.2-3524\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3524","metadata":false},{"id":63758,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3525","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","url":"\/15.2-3525\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3525","metadata":false},{"id":72751,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3526","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","url":"\/15.2-3526\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3526","metadata":false},{"id":81937,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3527","catch_line":"Assistance of state agencies","url":"\/15.2-3527\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3527","metadata":false},{"id":74300,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3528","catch_line":"Appeals","url":"\/15.2-3528\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3528","metadata":false},{"id":67012,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3529","catch_line":"Consolidation agreement generally; advisory committee; filing agreement and referendum petition with court","url":"\/15.2-3529\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3529","metadata":false},{"id":57135,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3530","catch_line":"Continuation of services of Department of Transportation after consolidation","url":"\/15.2-3530\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3530","metadata":false},{"id":66517,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3531","catch_line":"Voters' petition requesting consolidation agreement and referendum","url":"\/15.2-3531\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3531","metadata":false},{"id":80311,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3532","catch_line":"Required provisions of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3532\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3532","metadata":false},{"id":54885,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3533","catch_line":"Transfer of property and indebtedness","url":"\/15.2-3533\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3533","metadata":false},{"id":57984,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3534","catch_line":"Optional provisions of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3534\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3534","metadata":false},{"id":55792,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3535","catch_line":"Advertising of charter","url":"\/15.2-3535\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3535","metadata":false},{"id":58929,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3536","catch_line":"Charter for consolidated city","url":"\/15.2-3536\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3536","metadata":false},{"id":74992,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3537","catch_line":"Publication of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3537\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3537","metadata":false},{"id":57289,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3538","catch_line":"Order for election","url":"\/15.2-3538\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3538","metadata":false},{"id":76047,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3539","catch_line":"Conduct of election","url":"\/15.2-3539\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3539","metadata":false},{"id":87413,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3540","catch_line":"Result of elections; determination of form of government","url":"\/15.2-3540\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3540","metadata":false},{"id":85286,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3541","catch_line":"General effect of consolidation; officers","url":"\/15.2-3541\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3541","metadata":false},{"id":84944,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3542","catch_line":"Governing body to be elected and take office before effective date of consolidation in certain cases; powers","url":"\/15.2-3542\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3542","metadata":false},{"id":67281,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3543","catch_line":"Electoral board, general registrar and officers of election","url":"\/15.2-3543\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3543","metadata":false},{"id":54206,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3544","catch_line":"Effect on pending suits","url":"\/15.2-3544\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3544","metadata":false},{"id":66202,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3545","catch_line":"Effect on assembly districts","url":"\/15.2-3545\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3545","metadata":false},{"id":81817,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3546","catch_line":"Effect on jurisdiction of courts","url":"\/15.2-3546\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3546","metadata":false},{"id":60743,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3547","catch_line":"Consolidation of entire county requires no action of town council","url":"\/15.2-3547\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3547","metadata":false},{"id":82967,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3548","catch_line":"Effect on town charter","url":"\/15.2-3548\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3548","metadata":false},{"id":66812,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3549","catch_line":"Powers of a tier-city","url":"\/15.2-3549\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3549","metadata":false},{"id":77012,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3550","catch_line":"Effect of consolidation into single county; exceptions for tier-city","url":"\/15.2-3550\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3550","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":74992,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3537","catch_line":"Publication of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3537\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3537","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76047,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3539","catch_line":"Conduct of election","url":"\/15.2-3539\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3539","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3538\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 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 1956, chapter 554; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1975, chapter 517; in 1979, chapter 85; in 1986, chapter 312; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72751,"section_number":"15.2-3526","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3526\/"},{"id":85286,"section_number":"15.2-3541","catch_line":"General effect of consolidation; officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3541\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":72751,"section_number":"15.2-3526","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3526\/"},{"id":58078,"section_number":"24.2-681","catch_line":"How special elections superintended and determined","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-681\/"}],"permalink":{"id":157425,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57289,"identifier":"15.2-3538","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3538","url":"\/15.2-3538\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3538\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3538","dublin_core":{"Title":"Order for election","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3538","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>When publication of the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement or descriptive summary in each of the localities is completed or, in the case of a proposed consolidated new <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span>, when the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> has entered an appropriate <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> under the provisions of subsection A of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Hearing and decision by court\" href=\"\/15.2-3526\/\">15.2-3526<\/a>, the respective <span class=\"dictionary\">chief judges<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">courts<\/span> for the counties and for the cities, shall, by <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> entered of record in each <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span>, require the regular election officers of the <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> on the day fixed in the <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span>, issued in accordance with Article 5 (\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"How special elections superintended and determined\" href=\"\/24.2-681\/\">24.2-681<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which date shall be the same in each of the localities proposing to consolidate, to open a poll and take the sense of the <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> of each <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> on the question submitted as hereinafter provided. Certification from the owner, editor or manager of each newspaper publishing the agreement or descriptive summary shall be proof of publication.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nORDER FOR ELECTION (\u00a7 15.2-3538)\n\nWhen publication of the consolidation agreement or descriptive summary in each\nof the localities is completed or, in the case of a proposed consolidated new\ncity, when the court has entered an appropriate order under the provisions of\nsubsection A of \u00a7 15.2-3526, the respective chief judges of the circuit courts\nfor the counties and for the cities, shall, by order entered of record in each\ncounty and city, require the regular election officers of the locality on the\nday fixed in the order, issued in accordance with Article 5 (\u00a7 24.2-681 et\nseq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which date shall be the same in each of the\nlocalities proposing to consolidate, to open a poll and take the sense of the\nvoters of each locality on the question submitted as hereinafter provided.\nCertification from the owner, editor or manager of each newspaper publishing the\nagreement or descriptive summary shall be proof of publication.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-224; 1950, p. 1608; 1956, c. 554; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7\n15.1-1138; 1975, c. 517; 1979, c. 85; 1986, c. 312; 1997, c. 587.","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}}