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By SEAN ADAMS
Arandcl Staff Writer
Tucked away quietly amid the candidates on this year’s election day ballot are two proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution.
A majority of the persons voting on the questions must approve them before the amendments can take effect. The Virginia General Assembly has already approved the amendments in two sessions, with an election of the House of Delegates in between.
The first question is: “Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended so that members of local governing bodies can be elected or appointed to vacancies in the office of mayor or board chairman?”
Under the current constitution, if the position of mayor or chairman of the board becomes vacant — through resignation, for example — the local governing body usually appoints someone on an interim basis until a special election can be held to fill the vacancy.
But if the mayor or board chairman is elected separately by the voters, the constitution prohibits the council or board from appointing one of its own members to fill the vacancy.
If the amendment is approved Nov. 6, the General Assembly will be authorized to develop changes in law allowing members of councils or boards to appoint one of their own members to fill the vacancy.
The amendment “does not automatically” make the change, but allows
86.7%