24.2-686 - Special elections; petition and referendum requirements; abolition of constitutional office by change in form of government. - Virginia Statutes

§ 24.2-686. Special elections; petition and referendum requirements;abolition of constitutional office by change in form of government.

The provisions of § 24.2-685 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any countyseeking to change its form of government pursuant to Chapter 3 (§ 15.2-300 etseq.) of Title 15.2 if the effect of such change in form would be theabolition of an existing office created pursuant to Section 4 of Article VIIof the Constitution of Virginia. In such case, the circuit court may order areferendum under § 15.2-301 only if requested by a voter petition meeting therequirements of § 24.2-685. In such case, a question in substantially thefollowing form shall be listed first on the ballot and be followed by thoseprovided in § 15.2-301:

"Shall the County of . . . . . . . . be authorized to change its form ofgovernment to one which would eliminate the elected office(s) of . . . . . .?"

An affirmative vote on the subsequent question or questions on the ballotshall be given effect only if a majority of those voting in the referendumhave voted affirmatively on the first question to authorize such a change inthe form of government.

(1995, cc. 761, 808, 825.)