                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

MANDAMUS ACTION FOR FAILURE TO REAPPORTION DISTRICTS OR WARDS (§ 24.2-304.4)

Whenever the governing body of any county, city or town fails to perform the
duty of reapportioning the representation on the governing body among the
districts or wards of the county, city, or town, or fails to change the
boundaries of districts or wards, as prescribed by law, mandamus shall lie in
favor of any citizen of such county, city, or town, to compel the performance of
such duty.

Whenever the governing body of any county, city or town changes the boundaries,
or increases or diminishes the number of districts or wards, or reapportions the
representation in the governing body as prescribed by law, the action shall not
be subject to judicial review, unless it is alleged that the representation is
not proportional to the population of the district or ward. If such allegation
is made in a bill of complaint filed in the circuit court for the county, city
or town, the court shall determine whether the action of the governing body
complies with the constitutional requirements for redistricting and
reapportionment. Appeals from the court&#8217;s decision shall be as in any
other suit.

HISTORY: 1995, c. 249.