VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — During Tuesday night's city council meeting in Virginia Beach, residents expressed mixed opinions about the proposed charter amendment to implement the 10-1 Election System for the city.
The system would change the city's charter so that there would be 10 seats on the city council, with each seat represented by one district, and the only at-large seat would be held by the mayor, making it a "10-1" system.
While a lawsuit concerning the 10-1 voting system is pending, some people shared their support for the proposed system during the council's public hearings.
"What better way to serve our community and to have a single-member district voting system than the 10-1 system, where every local has its own elected representative to advocate for them?" said Virginia Beach resident Bryan Sullivan.
Other residents like Carl Wright also agree with the proposed voting system.
"Now, this 10-1 system is the best I've seen since I've been here, because it's not just about folks of color having a seat on the podium, it's about having accountability as well," said Wright.
Meanwhile, others, like mayoral candidate Richard "R.K." Kowalewitch, who has filed lawsuits against the city for the 10-1 voting system, expressed his disdain for the proposal. Kowalewitch said implementing the 10-1 Election System is illegal under the city charter.
"Virginia Code 52 201 states you have to have a charter election [or] referendum, then go before the general assembly for a two-thirds approval vote by both houses, and signed off by the governor. This has not happened," said Kowalewitch.
As Mayor Bobby Dyer listened to public comment, state senator and former Virginia Beach councilmember Aaron Rouse ensured the proper steps were taken to amend the city charter.
"As a patron of Senate Bill 189, it was my responsibility on behalf of the city to align our city charter with what the federal courts have stated [and] also with what our state's law has stated," said Senator Rouse.
City council members agree that they are not doing anything illegal and are taking the proper steps to implement the 10-1 voting system.
"We did go through the legal process. We did go back, as you heard Senator Rouse mention. He had some roadblocks, two years in the making, but it happened, it passed, and so we had this second election, and now in 2024, we plan to move forward with it," said District 4 Councilwoman Dr. Amelia Ross Hammond.
Following Tuesday night's council meeting, council members will consider the public's comments and revisit the matter at a later date.