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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 51: Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 51 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on November 24, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts. Primary sponsor: Aaron Rouse (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (March 9, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0008).

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts. Requires every locality with a population of 400,000 or greater to elect the members of its governing body by individual single-member districts. The bill provides that a governing body's presiding officer may be elected at large. The bill further provides that any such governing body that does not already meet the requirements of the bill shall establish the required districts and shall reapportion the representation in the governing body in accordance with general law. Finally, the bill provides that for any such governing body that, prior to 2026, adopted an ordinance with a map to elect its members by individual single-member districts, such ordinance shall become effective upon the effective date of this act. This bill is identical to HB 168 and contains an emergency clause.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Aaron RousePrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate22

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0008)
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 8 (Effective 3/9/2026)
  3. Signed by President
  4. Signed by Speaker
  5. Reenrolled bill text (SB51ER2)
  6. Reenrolled
  7. Governor's recommendation adopted
  8. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 29-N 0-A)
  9. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (20-Y 19-N 0-A)
  10. Governor's recommendation received by Senate
  11. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 05, 2026
  12. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 26, 2026

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source