Virginia Makes Local Option for Ranked Choice Voting Permanent
Governor signs legislation following successful pilots in Arlington and Charlottesville.
Richmond, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger signed legislation this week making ranked choice voting (RCV) a permanent option for cities and counties in Virginia. Under current law, localities in Virginia can conduct ranked choice elections until 2031 – a pilot program created when the General Assembly first authorized local RCV elections in 2021. The newly-signed legislation (SB176 / HB630), carried by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (Henrico) and Del. Katrina Callsen (Albemarle), repeals the 2031 sunset clause for that pilot program, granting localities permanent authority to use ranked choice voting in elections for city council and county board. The legislation also extends local authority to conduct ranked choice elections to town councils, who were previously prohibited from using RCV.
Virginia's ranked choice expansion follows early adoption in two communities. Arlington has used ranked choice to elect its County Board since 2023, and Charlottesville used ranked choice voting for the first time in its 2025 City Council primary. Post-election polling in both communities has since found that broad majorities of voters support continued use of RCV in their local elections.
"Arlington and Charlottesville have shown that Virginia is ready for ranked choice," said Sally Hudson, Executive Director of Ranked Choice Virginia. "The initial ranked choice elections in both communities have gone smoothly, with no technical challenges, and polling shows their voters want to keep better elections for the long haul. With the permanent option now in place, more communities across Virginia can follow their lead and give voters more options at the ballot box."
With the permanent option now in place, more Virginia localities may now consider adopting ranked choice voting. Elected leaders in Albemarle and Loudoun have held public briefings with their local registrars to explore the practical path to using RCV in their communities.
