                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

PETITION OR RESOLUTION ASKING FOR REFERENDUM; NOTICE; CONDUCT OF ELECTION (§
15.2-301)

A. A county may adopt one of the optional forms of government provided for in
Chapters 4 through 8 of this title only after approval by voter referendum. The
referendum shall be initiated by (i) a petition filed with the circuit court for
the county signed by at least ten percent of the voters of the county, asking
that a referendum be held on the question of adopting one of the forms of
government or (ii) a resolution passed by the board of supervisors and filed
with the circuit court asking for a referendum. The petition or resolution shall
specify which of the forms of government provided for in Chapters 4 through 8 is
to be placed on the ballot for consideration. Only one form may be placed on the
ballot for consideration.

B. Notice of the election shall be published three times in a newspaper having a
general circulation in the county, with the first notice appearing no more than
35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the
election. Notice of the election shall also be posted at the door of the county
courthouse.

C. The election shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7;
24.2-684. In addition to the certifications required by such section, the
secretary of the appropriate electoral board shall certify the results to the
Commission on Local Government.

D. Prior to adopting an optional form of government provided for in Chapter 5 or
Chapter 6, a county shall also comply with the referendum requirements of &#xA7;
24.2-686.

HISTORY: 1997, c. 587; 2000, c. 741; 2024, cc. 225, 242.