{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3539.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3539.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3539.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3539.html"}],"law_id":76047,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76047,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3539","catch_line":"Conduct of election","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-225; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1139; 1975, c. 214; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"The regular election officers, at the time designated in the order authorizing the vote, shall open the polls at the various voting places in their respective localities and conduct the election in such manner as is provided by general law for other elections insofar as the same is applicable. The ballots for each county, including the towns therein, and for each city shall be prepared by the electoral boards thereof and distributed to the various election precincts thereof as provided by law. The ballots used shall be printed and shall contain the following:\n\t\t&#8220;Shall&#8230;&#8230;..\u2026 (here insert the names of localities proposing to consolidate) consolidate?\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No&#8221;\n\t\tIn the case of a consolidation agreement offering to the voters the option of choosing between two forms of government, the ballots used shall also contain the following:\n\t\t&#8220;What form of consolidated government shall be adopted?\n\t\t(Vote for one only)\n\t\t[ ] City charter, or\n\t\t[ ] County form&#8221;\n\t\tIf the option is between other forms of county government, then the ballots shall be printed accordingly.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":272957,"text":"The regular election officers, at the time designated in the order authorizing the vote, shall open the polls at the various voting places in their respective localities and conduct the election in such manner as is provided by general law for other elections insofar as the same is applicable. The ballots for each county, including the towns therein, and for each city shall be prepared by the electoral boards thereof and distributed to the various election precincts thereof as provided by law. The ballots used shall be printed and shall contain the following:\n\t\t&#8220;Shall&#8230;&#8230;..\u2026 (here insert the names of localities proposing to consolidate) consolidate?\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No&#8221;\n\t\tIn the case of a consolidation agreement offering to the voters the option of choosing between two forms of government, the ballots used shall also contain the following:\n\t\t&#8220;What form of consolidated government shall be adopted?\n\t\t(Vote for one only)\n\t\t[ ] City charter, or\n\t\t[ ] County form&#8221;\n\t\tIf the option is between other forms of county government, then the ballots shall be printed accordingly.","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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3539\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1962, chapter 623; in 1975, chapter 214; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85286,"section_number":"15.2-3541","catch_line":"General effect of consolidation; officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3541\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":157429,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76047,"identifier":"15.2-3539","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3539","url":"\/15.2-3539\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3539\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3539","dublin_core":{"Title":"Conduct of election","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3539","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The regular election officers, at the time designated in the <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> authorizing the vote, shall open the polls at the various voting places in their respective localities and conduct the election in such manner as is provided by general <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> for other elections insofar as the same is applicable. The ballots for each <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, including the <span class=\"dictionary\">towns<\/span> therein, and for each <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> shall be prepared by the electoral boards thereof and distributed to the various election precincts thereof as provided by <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>. The ballots used shall be printed and shall contain the following:\n\t\t&#8220;Shall&#8230;&#8230;..\u2026 (here insert the names of localities proposing to consolidate) consolidate?\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No&#8221;\n\t\tIn the case of a <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement offering to the <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> the option of choosing between two forms of government, the ballots used shall also contain the following:\n\t\t&#8220;What form of consolidated government shall be adopted?\n\t\t(Vote for one only)\n\t\t[ ] <span class=\"dictionary\">City<\/span> charter, or\n\t\t[ ] <span class=\"dictionary\">County<\/span> form&#8221;\n\t\tIf the option is between other forms of <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> government, then the ballots shall be printed accordingly.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONDUCT OF ELECTION (\u00a7 15.2-3539)\n\nThe regular election officers, at the time designated in the order authorizing\nthe vote, shall open the polls at the various voting places in their respective\nlocalities and conduct the election in such manner as is provided by general law\nfor other elections insofar as the same is applicable. The ballots for each\ncounty, including the towns therein, and for each city shall be prepared by the\nelectoral boards thereof and distributed to the various election precincts\nthereof as provided by law. The ballots used shall be printed and shall contain\nthe following:\n\t\t&#8220;Shall&#8230;&#8230;..\u2026 (here insert the names of localities proposing\nto consolidate) consolidate?\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No&#8221;\n\t\tIn the case of a consolidation agreement offering to the voters the option of\nchoosing between two forms of government, the ballots used shall also contain\nthe following:\n\t\t&#8220;What form of consolidated government shall be adopted?\n\t\t(Vote for one only)\n\t\t[ ] City charter, or\n\t\t[ ] County form&#8221;\n\t\tIf the option is between other forms of county government, then the ballots\nshall be printed accordingly.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-225; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1139; 1975, c. 214; 1997,\nc. 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}}