CHAPTER 486

An Act to amend and reenact § 3.01 of Chapter 116 of the Acts of the
General Assembly of 1948, approved March 5, 1948, providing a
charter for the city of Richmond relating to the election and terms
of office of members of the council, and to provide for a referendum.

[H 224]
Approved April 4, 1966

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 3.01 of Chapter 116 of the Acts of the General Assembly of
1948, approved March 5, 1948, be amended and reenacted as follows:
8 8.01. Election and terms of office of Councilmen.

On the second Tuesday in June, * 1966, * there shall be held a general
city election at which there shall be elected by the qualified voters of the
city at large nine members of the council *; the four members receiving
the highest number of votes cast shull serve for terms of four years, and
the five members receiving the next highest number of votes cast shall
serve for terms of two years. On the second Tuesday in June in every
second year thereafter, there shall be held a general city election at which
there shall be elected by the qualified voters of the city at large five mem-
bers of the council; the four members receiving the highest number of
votes cast shall serve for terms of four years, and the one member re-
ceiving the next highest number of votes cast shull serve for a term of
two years. The members elected shall take office on the first day of July
following their election.

2. The amendment of § 3.01 of Chapter 116 of the Acts of Assembly of
1948, contained in 1. hereof, shall not become effective until the council
for the city of Richmond shall, by resolution, petition the Hustings Court
of the City of Richmond, or the senior judge thereof in vacation for a
referendum on the question submitted hereinafter. When such petition is
filed, such court or judge shall by order entered of record require the judges
of election, on the second Tuesday in June, 1966; to open the polls and take
the sense of the qualified voters of the city on the question submitted as
hereinafter provided for.

The ballots to be used shall be printed as follows:

= the members of the city council serve staggered terms”’

[] For

[] Against

The election shall in all respects be held as provided in § 24-141 of the
Code of Virginia.

If the result of the election held as provided herein be for the question
herein submitted, the amendment of § 3.01 of Chapter 116 of the Acts
of Assembly of 1948 shall be in full force and effect immediately, and the
election and terms of office of members of the council shall be in accordance
with and as prescribed by said section as amended. If the result of the
election so held be against the question, then the amendment of section 3.01
of Chapter 116 of the Acts of Assembly of 1948 shall have no force or
effect, and the election and terms of office of members of the council shall
be in accordance with and as prescribed by said section as it existed before
the passage of this act. ,

8. An emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.