Then there were two

Primary results are in, setting the ballot for November’s general election. In Charlottesville’s Democratic City Council primary, Vice Mayor Brian Pinkston was unseated by political newcomer Jen Fleisher. The election was the city’s first ranked-choice-voting election, where voters were able to rank candidates in order of preference. To win a spot in the two-seat race, […]

Early season

Early voting in the June 17 Democratic Primary for Charlottesville City Council begins May 2, officially kicking off the city’s experiment with ranked-choice voting. Mayor Juandiego Wade and Vice-Mayor Brian Pinkston are both seeking reelection, but face a challenge from Jen Fleisher for the two available seats. Rather than filling in two bubbles as usual, […]

Charlottesville City Council increases salaries and considers ranked-choice voting

At its August 19 meeting, Charlottesville City Council delved into a number of hot-button local issues, including council salaries and ranked-choice voting. Under new legislation from the Virginia General Assembly, city governments can now vote to increase salaries, with pay limits determined by locality population size. A proposed salary ordinance would increase councilors’ annual pay […]

City Council to consider ranked-choice voting ordinance

Charlottesville City Council will formally consider a draft ranked-choice voting ordinance at its August 19 meeting. If approved, Charlottesville would become the second locality in Virginia to adopt ranked-choice voting, and the new voting system will be used on a trial basis in the city’s 2025 election. Under a ranked-choice system, voters can rank candidates […]