<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>348279</law_id><section_number>15.2-3539</section_number><catch_line>Conduct of election</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-3541</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="46" identifier="15.2">Counties, Cities and Towns</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="3" identifier="III">Boundary Adjustments and Changes of Status of Counties, Cities and Towns</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="6" identifier="35">Consolidation of Localities</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="2" identifier="2">Consolidation of Certain Counties, Cities and Towns</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The regular election officers, at the time designated in the <span class="dictionary">order</span> authorizing the vote, shall open the polls at the various voting places in their respective localities and conduct the election in such manner as is provided by general <span class="dictionary">law</span> for other elections insofar as the same is applicable. The ballots for each <span class="dictionary">county</span>, including the <span class="dictionary">towns</span> therein, and for each <span class="dictionary">city</span> shall be prepared by the electoral boards thereof and distributed to the various election precincts thereof as provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span>. The ballots used shall be printed and shall contain the following:</p><p>&#x201C;Shall&#x2026;&#x2026;..&#x2026; (here insert the names of localities proposing to consolidate) consolidate?</p><p>[ ] Yes</p><p>[ ] No&#x201D;</p><p>In the case of a <span class="dictionary">consolidation</span> agreement offering to the <span class="dictionary">voters</span> the option of choosing between two forms of government, the ballots used shall also contain the following:</p><p>&#x201C;What form of consolidated government shall be adopted?</p><p>(Vote for one only)</p><p>[ ] <span class="dictionary">City</span> charter, or</p><p>[ ] <span class="dictionary">County</span> form&#x201D;</p><p>If the option is between other forms of <span class="dictionary">county</span> government, then the ballots shall be printed accordingly.</p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 15-225; 1962, c. 623, &#xA7; 15.1-1139; 1975, c. 214; 1997, c. 587.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
