VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A city councilwoman wants to set the record straight on where she stands regarding the referendum on the city’s voting system after she said campaign material went out that isn’t true.
Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond represents District 4 on City Council and said Thursday she was made aware of mass text messages sent to potential voters containing a graphic with her name on it.
“I saw what was a photo of me, and it said, ‘I’m voting no to 10-1.’ and ‘Vote no’,” Ross-Hammond said. “It also said at the beginning about our district deserves more voting power … I was just completely shocked.”
The graphic accompanying the texts stated it was paid and authorized by the “Every Vote Counts” referendum committee. The group is advocating for people to vote against changing the city’s election system for City Council and School Board from the current 7-3-1 outlined in city charter, in which the 11-elected officials would be elected by both districts and citywide, to a 10-1 system currently in use, that only leaves the mayor running at-large…