                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

GOVERNING BODIES (§ 15.2-1400)

A. The qualified voters of every locality shall elect a governing body for such
locality. The date, place, number, term, and other details of the election shall
be as specified by law, general or special. Qualification for office is provided
in Article 4 (&#xA7; 15.2-1522 et seq.) of Chapter 15.

B. The governing body of every locality shall be composed of not fewer than
three nor more than 11 members.

C. Chairmen, mayors, supervisors, and councilmen are subject to the prohibitions
set forth in &#xA7;&#xA7; 15.2-1534 and 15.2-1535.

D. A governing body may punish or fine a member of the governing body for
disorderly behavior.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA7; 24.2-222 and 24.2-222.1, any
city or town charter, or any other provision of law, general or special,
beginning with any election held after January 1, 2022, elections for mayor,
members of a local governing body, or members of an elected school board shall
be held at the time of the November general election for terms to commence
January 1.

F. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, in a locality
that imposes district-based or ward-based residency requirements for members of
the governing body, the member elected from each district or ward shall be
elected by the qualified voters of that district or ward and not by the locality
at large.

HISTORY: 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 199, § 15.1-37.4; 1982, c. 297; 1983, c. 595;
1995, c. 249; 1997, c. 587; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 103, 225.