Virginia Beach
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 442,707 [12]
Charter city
There is no initiative process.
Norfolk
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 242,628 [12]
Charter city
Norfolk City code provides for initiative and referendum powers for city ordinances. An initiative petitions requires signatures equaling 10% of electors who cast their votes a the last preceding regular municipal election for council members. A referendum petition requires signatures equalling 25% of these electors but not fewer than 4,000. Circulators of the petition have 120 days to gather signatures and must get approval of the form, content and language of the petition from the city attorney. If a petition for an ordinance meets the 10% minimum signature requirement the ordinance goes to the legislature. If the the legislature fails to pass the ordinance, a second petition requiring signatures equalling 25% of electors but not fewer than 4,000 must be successfully filed to put the ordinance onto the ballot.
- Norfold City Code
Chesapeake
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 225,050 [12]
Charter city
There is no initiative process.
Richmond
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 205,533 [12]
Charter city
There is no initiative process.
Newport News
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 179,611 [12]
Charter city
There is no initiative process.
Alexandria
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 144,301 [12]
Charter city
There is no initiative process.
Hampton
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 136,401 [12]
Charter city
Hampton, like Norfolk, provides for initiative and referendum powers for city ordinances in its municipal code. An initiative petitions requires signatures equaling 10% of electors who cast their votes a the last preceding regular municipal election for council members. A referendum petition requires signatures equalling 25% of these electors but not fewer than 4,000. Circulators of the petition have 120 days to gather signatures and must get approval of the form, content and language of the petition from the city attorney. If a petition for an ordinance meets the 10% minimum signature requirement the ordinance goes to the legislature. If the the legislature fails to pass the ordinance, a second petition requiring signatures equalling 25% of electors but not fewer than 4,000 must be successfully filed to put the ordinance onto the ballot.
- Hampton City Code
Roanoke
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 96,714 [12]
Charter city
There is no initiative process.
Portsmouth
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 95,684 [12]
Charter city
Portsmouth city law requires signatures equalling 30% of electors in the city voting for governor in the last gubernatorial election for a successful petition for an ordinance initiative. The petition must be filed within thirty days after the first signature is gathered and the form and information of the petition is determined partially by city code and partially by the city attorney. If the petition is successful it goes to the legislature for passage. If it is not passed without alteration within 60 days it goes to the ballot for decision by the voters.
- Portsmouth City Code
Suffolk
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 84,930 [12]
Charter city
There is no initiative process.
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