SB51Introduced in the Senate
Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts.
Introduced by Aaron Rouse, District 22
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
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.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0008)
March 9, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 29-N 0-A) · March 9, 2026
67
Yes
29
No
3
Absent or Not Voting
99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Absent |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Kirk McPike | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Yes |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100881D
Referred to Committee on Local Government
Senate committee offered
Reported from Local Government with substitute (14-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26106179D-S1
Read first time
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Passed by for the day
Read second time
Local Government Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Committee substitute agreed to
Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 14-N 0-A)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB51)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (16-Y 5-N)
Read second time
Read third time
Passed House (72-Y 26-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB51ER)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB51)
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 26, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 05, 2026
Governor's recommendation received by Senate
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (20-Y 19-N 0-A)
House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 29-N 0-A)
Governor's recommendation adopted
Reenrolled
Reenrolled bill text (SB51ER2)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Approved by Governor-Chapter 8 (Effective 3/9/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0008)
Verify the information
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