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  • Our country is facing several unprecedented crises all at once. The COVID-19 pandemic, police brutality, and racism are just the tip of the iceberg of the problems we need to tackle head-on. The 2020 Presidential race comes at a defining moment in our history, and this is a pivotal election that will decide the fate of America for generations to come.

    Joe Biden was the 47th Vice President of the United States, serving in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017. He represented the state of Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009. During his time with the Obama administration, he was an influential adviser to the President, helping usher in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a monumental reform to America’s healthcare system where 20 million Americans gained health coverage. Biden also oversaw infrastructure spending under Obama’s stimulus package response to the 2008 recession and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

    If elected President, Biden has pledged to codify Roe V. Wade, restore federal funding to Planned Parenthood, and repeal the Hyde Amendment. His response to the coronavirus pandemic involves widespread, free testing, and the distribution of a vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs. Biden wants to make affordable healthcare available to more Americans by strengthening the ACA and offering a public option for health coverage. Biden believes that gun violence is a public health crisis and plans to ban the manufacture and sale of assault rifles and high capacity magazines, close loopholes that allow guns to get in the wrong hands, require background checks for gun sales, and institute red flag laws.

    Biden’s platform to address climate change involves embracing central components of the Green New Deal––getting the world to net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 and aligning environmental and economic policies. He announced a $2 trillion plan to invest in clean energy while creating economic opportunity and strengthening infrastructure.

    Biden also pledged to restore the Voting Rights Act. As a U.S. Senator in 2006, Biden co-sponsored legislation to renew key sections of the Voting Rights Act. It was signed by then President George W. Bush.

    Biden plans to address economic inequality by increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, increasing affordable housing, ending discrimination in the housing market, investing in transportation, protecting tenants’ rights, boosting the power of unions and workers’ rights to collectively bargain, and checking corporate power over workers.

    Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the incumbent and Republican nominee. He won the 2016 election by capturing a majority of votes in the electoral college votes while losing the popular vote by 3 million votes. In 2020, Trump was impeached for requesting foreign assistance in the 2016 election. During his time in office, he attacked affordable healthcare by attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, overhauled the U.S. tax system to benefit the richest one percent of Americans and wealthy corporations, and took away Title IX funding for Planned Parenthood. He appointed conservative judges to the judiciary who are hostile to abortion rights, denied amnesty to thousands of immigrants fleeing violence from Central America, attempted to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protected young immigrants from deportation, sided with racists during times of racial upheaval in our nation, and completely botched the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Due to Trump’s racism, attacks on immigrants, attempts to take away healthcare, and proven inability to lead our nation, Joe Biden is the clear progressive choice for the 2020 Presidential election.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Joseph Biden

    Our country is facing several unprecedented crises all at once. The COVID-19 pandemic, police brutality, and racism are just the tip of the iceberg of the problems we need to tackle head-on.

    Our country is facing several unprecedented crises all at once. The COVID-19 pandemic, police brutality, and racism are just the tip of the iceberg of the problems we need to tackle head-on. The 2020 Presidential race comes at a defining moment in our history, and this is a pivotal election that will decide the fate of America for generations to come.

    Joe Biden was the 47th Vice President of the United States, serving in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017. He represented the state of Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009. During his time with the Obama administration, he was an influential adviser to the President, helping usher in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a monumental reform to America’s healthcare system where 20 million Americans gained health coverage. Biden also oversaw infrastructure spending under Obama’s stimulus package response to the 2008 recession and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

    If elected President, Biden has pledged to codify Roe V. Wade, restore federal funding to Planned Parenthood, and repeal the Hyde Amendment. His response to the coronavirus pandemic involves widespread, free testing, and the distribution of a vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs. Biden wants to make affordable healthcare available to more Americans by strengthening the ACA and offering a public option for health coverage. Biden believes that gun violence is a public health crisis and plans to ban the manufacture and sale of assault rifles and high capacity magazines, close loopholes that allow guns to get in the wrong hands, require background checks for gun sales, and institute red flag laws.

    Biden’s platform to address climate change involves embracing central components of the Green New Deal––getting the world to net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 and aligning environmental and economic policies. He announced a $2 trillion plan to invest in clean energy while creating economic opportunity and strengthening infrastructure.

    Biden also pledged to restore the Voting Rights Act. As a U.S. Senator in 2006, Biden co-sponsored legislation to renew key sections of the Voting Rights Act. It was signed by then President George W. Bush.

    Biden plans to address economic inequality by increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, increasing affordable housing, ending discrimination in the housing market, investing in transportation, protecting tenants’ rights, boosting the power of unions and workers’ rights to collectively bargain, and checking corporate power over workers.

    Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the incumbent and Republican nominee. He won the 2016 election by capturing a majority of votes in the electoral college votes while losing the popular vote by 3 million votes. In 2020, Trump was impeached for requesting foreign assistance in the 2016 election. During his time in office, he attacked affordable healthcare by attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, overhauled the U.S. tax system to benefit the richest one percent of Americans and wealthy corporations, and took away Title IX funding for Planned Parenthood. He appointed conservative judges to the judiciary who are hostile to abortion rights, denied amnesty to thousands of immigrants fleeing violence from Central America, attempted to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protected young immigrants from deportation, sided with racists during times of racial upheaval in our nation, and completely botched the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Due to Trump’s racism, attacks on immigrants, attempts to take away healthcare, and proven inability to lead our nation, Joe Biden is the clear progressive choice for the 2020 Presidential election.

    Joseph Biden

    Our country is facing several unprecedented crises all at once. The COVID-19 pandemic, police brutality, and racism are just the tip of the iceberg of the problems we need to tackle head-on.

  • Senator Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and South Asian American woman to be nominated for Vice President of the United States by a major party. As the daughter of immigrants, Harris’s groundbreaking nomination is a win for people of color. She was elected to represent California in the U.S. Senate in 2016, before that she was Attorney General of California. As a Senator, Harris serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget.

    During her time in the Senate, Harris became known for grilling Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Attorney General William Barr during their confirmation hearings. 

    Harris blames the Trump administration for the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. 
    Harris believes that the federal government should respond to the coronavirus pandemic by giving Americans $2,000 monthly stipends while banning evictions, utilities shutoffs, foreclosures, and rent increases. She signed onto the Masks For All Act, which would provide free masks to Americans at no cost. Harris introduced legislation that would establish a task force to address health inequities made apparent by pandemic. She also believes free and widespread testing should be available. 

    Harris supports a $15 minimum wage for working families. While in the Senate, Harris worked to repeal Trump’s 2017 tax breaks for the richest one percent through her legislation called the LIFT Act, which would cut taxes for the working class and lift 9 million people out of poverty. Harris also introduced a bill to help Americans with housing by offering 13.3 million families tax subsidies to afford rent. Harris received a 100% rating from the AFL-CIO. She also introduced legislation to strengthen the rights of public sector workers and their right to collectively bargain. 

    While in the Senate, Harris co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act of 2019. During her run for President, she proposed a 10-year transition plan for universal coverage where private insurers would be allowed to compete provided they follow certain rules. As candidate for Vice President, Harris supports Joe Biden’s plan to strengthen the Affordable Care Act by offering a public option.    

    In response to the police murder of George Floyd, Harris introduced with other Senators the Justice in Policing Act, legislation that would bans chokeholds and no-knock warrants, set national standards to hold police officers accountable for misconduct, prohibit racial profiling, and established a national data collection system on police misconduct.  

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Kamala Harris

    Senator Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and South Asian American woman to be nominated for Vice President of the United States by a major party. As the daughter of immigrants, Harris’s groundbreaking nomination is a win for people of color.

    Senator Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and South Asian American woman to be nominated for Vice President of the United States by a major party. As the daughter of immigrants, Harris’s groundbreaking nomination is a win for people of color. She was elected to represent California in the U.S. Senate in 2016, before that she was Attorney General of California. As a Senator, Harris serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget.

    During her time in the Senate, Harris became known for grilling Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Attorney General William Barr during their confirmation hearings. 

    Harris blames the Trump administration for the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. 
    Harris believes that the federal government should respond to the coronavirus pandemic by giving Americans $2,000 monthly stipends while banning evictions, utilities shutoffs, foreclosures, and rent increases. She signed onto the Masks For All Act, which would provide free masks to Americans at no cost. Harris introduced legislation that would establish a task force to address health inequities made apparent by pandemic. She also believes free and widespread testing should be available. 

    Harris supports a $15 minimum wage for working families. While in the Senate, Harris worked to repeal Trump’s 2017 tax breaks for the richest one percent through her legislation called the LIFT Act, which would cut taxes for the working class and lift 9 million people out of poverty. Harris also introduced a bill to help Americans with housing by offering 13.3 million families tax subsidies to afford rent. Harris received a 100% rating from the AFL-CIO. She also introduced legislation to strengthen the rights of public sector workers and their right to collectively bargain. 

    While in the Senate, Harris co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act of 2019. During her run for President, she proposed a 10-year transition plan for universal coverage where private insurers would be allowed to compete provided they follow certain rules. As candidate for Vice President, Harris supports Joe Biden’s plan to strengthen the Affordable Care Act by offering a public option.    

    In response to the police murder of George Floyd, Harris introduced with other Senators the Justice in Policing Act, legislation that would bans chokeholds and no-knock warrants, set national standards to hold police officers accountable for misconduct, prohibit racial profiling, and established a national data collection system on police misconduct.  

    Kamala Harris

    Senator Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and South Asian American woman to be nominated for Vice President of the United States by a major party. As the daughter of immigrants, Harris’s groundbreaking nomination is a win for people of color.

Other Candidates

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the incumbent and Republican nominee. He won the 2016 election by capturing a majority of votes in the electoral college votes while losing the popular vote by 3 million votes. In 2020, Trump was impeached for requesting foreign assistance in the 2016 election.  During his time in office, he attacked affordable healthcare by attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, overhauled the U.S. tax system to benefit the richest one percent of Americans and wealthy corporations, and took away Title IX funding for Planned Parenthood. He appointed conservative judges to the judiciary who are hostile to abortion rights, denied amnesty to thousands of immigrants fleeing violence from Central America, attempted to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protected young immigrants from deportation, sided with racists during times of racial upheaval in our nation, and completely botched the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump’s running mate is Vice President Mike Pence, a yes-man to Donald Trump who co-chairs the administration’s failed response to the coronavirus. As Vice President, he advocated for repealing the Affordable Care Act.  Pence is known for his discrimination against the LGBTQ community by opposing same-sex marriage, and advocating for gay conversion therapy. He praised a Trump administration rule that allows adoption agencies to discriminate against gay couples. When Pence was Governor of Indiana, he signed a bill that enacted some of the strictest abortion restrictions in the country. The bill was later ruled to be unconstitutional. 

The Liberatian Party has nominated Jo Jorgensen for President and Jeremy “Spike” Cohen for Vice President. Jorgensen is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Clemson University. Cohen owns a podcast platform. The ticket’s platform includes radically reducing the size of government, turning America into “one giant Switzerland,” reducing environmental protections to increase coal and oil production, and eliminating the federal Department of Education.

Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris are the clear progressive choices for the 2020 Presidential election. 

President - Others

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the incumbent and Republican nominee. He won the 2016 election by capturing a majority of votes in the electoral college votes while losing the popular vote by 3 million votes.

  • About the Race

    This election occurs on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the US presidential election. Current Senator Mark Warner (D), who has also served as the governor of Virginia, will be running against Daniel Gade, a retired Army Lt. Colonel who worked in the Trump administration.

    About the State

    Every eligible Virginia voter may cast a ballot in the US Senate election. Virginia saw an incredibly high turnout in 2016, with 72% of registered voters turning out to vote, more than 15% higher than the average US voter turnout. Virginia usually sees more than 70% of registered voters turn out for presidential election years.

    Recommendation

    Incumbent Democrat Senator Mark Warner has represented Virginia as United States Senator since 2008. Before his election to the Senate, he served as Virginia’s Governor from 2002 to 2006. In the Senate, Warner is the Vice Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and he also serves on several other committees.

    Warner is known for his service on the Intelligence Committee in investigating and condemning Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. He is also a fierce advocate for protecting the country’s electoral process. Warner sponsored legislation that was supported by representatives on both sides of the aisle to prevent foreign meddling in elections and promote greater transparency in online political advertising. In 2020, Warner voted to convict President Donald Trump and remove him from office at the end of the Senate impeachment trial.

    In 2019, Warner joined other senators in introducing the Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and strengthen the original 1965 Voting Rights Act. In 2020, he called on the Senate to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell failed to bring it up for a vote.

    Sen. Warner voted against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He opposed a federal abortion ban and believes that abortion is a constitutionally-protected right.

    Warner wants to invest in infrastructure projects to create jobs and boost the economy. During his time in the Senate, Warner has pushed for increased federal spending on transit, water improvement projects, and airports in the Commonwealth. In 2020, Warner championed the Great Outdoors Act to bring federal relief to the country’s national park system, which would bring over 10,000 jobs to Virginia alone.

    Warner joined other Senators in lambasting the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. During the coronavirus pandemic, he has pushed for more funding for testing supplies and PPE while also supporting the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare coverage to more Americans. Warner has pushed for increased broadband access so more people can use the Internet during the pandemic to work from home and attend school.

    Warner’s opponent, Daniel Gade, is a U.S. Army veteran and professor at American University. Gade supports cutting taxes, reducing the size of government, promoting economic deregulation with free market policies. He believes that the U.S. economy should re-open as quickly as possible during the pandemic. Gade has said he approves of President Trump’s performance so far.

    Due to his record of service supporting abortion rights, healthcare access, the environment, and protecting our democracy, Senator Mark Warner is the more progressive choice to represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    About the Race

    This election occurs on November 3, 2020, and shares a ballot with the US presidential election. Current Senator Mark Warner (D), who has also served as the governor of Virginia, will be running against Daniel Gade, a retired Army Lt. Colonel who worked in the Trump administration.

    About the State

    Every eligible Virginia voter may cast a ballot in the US Senate election. Virginia saw an incredibly high turnout in 2016, with 72% of registered voters turning out to vote, more than 15% higher than the average US voter turnout. Virginia usually sees more than 70% of registered voters turn out for presidential election years.

    Recommendation

    Incumbent Democrat Senator Mark Warner has represented Virginia as United States Senator since 2008. Before his election to the Senate, he served as Virginia’s Governor from 2002 to 2006. In the Senate, Warner is the Vice Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and he also serves on several other committees.

    Warner is known for his service on the Intelligence Committee in investigating and condemning Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. He is also a fierce advocate for protecting the country’s electoral process. Warner sponsored legislation that was supported by representatives on both sides of the aisle to prevent foreign meddling in elections and promote greater transparency in online political advertising. In 2020, Warner voted to convict President Donald Trump and remove him from office at the end of the Senate impeachment trial.

    In 2019, Warner joined other senators in introducing the Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and strengthen the original 1965 Voting Rights Act. In 2020, he called on the Senate to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell failed to bring it up for a vote.

    Sen. Warner voted against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He opposed a federal abortion ban and believes that abortion is a constitutionally-protected right.

    Warner wants to invest in infrastructure projects to create jobs and boost the economy. During his time in the Senate, Warner has pushed for increased federal spending on transit, water improvement projects, and airports in the Commonwealth. In 2020, Warner championed the Great Outdoors Act to bring federal relief to the country’s national park system, which would bring over 10,000 jobs to Virginia alone.

    Warner joined other Senators in lambasting the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. During the coronavirus pandemic, he has pushed for more funding for testing supplies and PPE while also supporting the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare coverage to more Americans. Warner has pushed for increased broadband access so more people can use the Internet during the pandemic to work from home and attend school.

    Warner’s opponent, Daniel Gade, is a U.S. Army veteran and professor at American University. Gade supports cutting taxes, reducing the size of government, promoting economic deregulation with free market policies. He believes that the U.S. economy should re-open as quickly as possible during the pandemic. Gade has said he approves of President Trump’s performance so far.

    Due to his record of service supporting abortion rights, healthcare access, the environment, and protecting our democracy, Senator Mark Warner is the more progressive choice to represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

  • Virginia’s 2nd District covers a large portion of Hampton Roads, including the entirety of the cities of Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and Franklin, as well as Isle of Wight County, Accomack County, Northampton County, and parts of Chesapeake and Southampton County. The district has changed hands several times since 2008 at all levels and is considered one of Virginia’s most competitive congressional districts. Luria won the seat with 51.55% of the vote in 2020.

    About the Race

    This election shares a ballot with the US Presidential election held on November 3, 2020. Incumbent Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D), a US Navy veteran, faces Scott Taylor (R), a former Navy SEAL who previously held the seat from 2017 to 2019.

    About the District

    Virginia’s 2nd District covers a large portion of Hampton Roads, including the entirety of the cities of Virginia Beach and Williamsburg and parts of Norfolk and Hampton. It also encompasses all of Accomack, Northampton, and York counties. The district has changed hands several times since 2008 at all levels and is considered one of Virginia’s most competitive congressional districts. Luria won the seat by 2.5% in 2018, a margin of just over 6000 votes.

    Recommendation

    Democratic incumbent Representative Elaine Luria is seeking re-election in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. A 20-year Navy veteran, Luria was first elected to represent the 2nd District in 2018. As a Naval officer, she served in the Iraq War and was deployed to Japan, the Middle East, Mediterranean Sea, and the western Pacific. She is married with one daughter. Luria retired from the Navy in 2017 and started a small business called The Mermaid Factory in Virginia Beach.

    Luria serves on the Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services committees in the House of Representatives. Most of the legislation she filed during her term focuses on veterans’ affairs. In 2019, Luria voted for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which restored key sections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act legislation.

    She supports abortion access and believes the federal government should continue to fund Planned Parenthood. She supports closing the gender wage gap by implementing equal pay and taking action to combat maternal mortality in the U.S.

    Luria voted to expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to cover more families during the coronavirus pandemic and believes that no one should be denied health insurance for having a pre-existing condition. She also condemned the Trump administration for attempting to dismantle the ACA and called on the Justice Department to reverse its position in a lawsuit meant to repeal the ACA. She called on the government to regulate prescription drug costs and to increase funding for mental health services.

    As Representative from the district where the 2019 Virginia Beach shooting occurred, Luria voted to implement universal background checks and voted for the Keep Americans Safe Act, which would ban the sale of high-capacity magazines. She supported passing red flag laws that would keep guns out of the wrong hands and banning assault rifles.

    Luria voted for the Raise the Wage Act, which would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and give more than 100,000 workers in her district a raise. She advocated for protections for small businesses, fisheries, and agricultural industries in coronavirus pandemic relief packages. Luria co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act in 2019 to close the gender wage gap. She voted to impeach Donald Trump in 2019.

    Luria is facing a challenge from former Congressman Scott Taylor, who represented the 2nd District from 2017-2019. During his term, Taylor voted in line with President Trump to repeal the Affordable Care Act and to give the richest one percent and wealthy corporations tax breaks. A staffer from his 2018 re-election campaign was found guilty of election fraud for forging voter signatures.

    Independent candidate David Foster is also challenging Luria. Foster opposes abortion rights and wants to cut taxes. Foster wants to prohibit sanctuary cities and supports Trump’s border wall. Foster also believes that a photo I.D. should be required for voting. He has published conspiracy theories on his website and believes that a lot of our healthcare problems could be solved by legalizing marijuana.

    Due to Taylor’s staunch support of Trump and his attacks on healthcare and Foster’s opposition to a person’s right to decide when, how and whether to have children, Luria is the most progressive choice for the 2nd Congressional District in Virginia.

  • Brian Bass has served as a Town Councilman for the Nansemond Indian Nation and has held leadership positions at Holy Neck Christian Church. He is running on a platform of transparency, economic growth, and equality. He views his heritage as an unbreakable bond with the city of Suffolk and has established a non-profit, Brain Bass for Suffolk Inc., which has coordinated volunteers for food banks in the wake of COVID-19.

    He is committed to raising teacher pay in Suffolk, which has some of the lowest teacher salaries in the Commonwealth. He also wants the city council to support local small businesses in the wake of COVID-19’s economic impact.

    He wants first responders to be represented at City Council meetings to provide input on moving forward as a city.

    Bass intends to implement a 30-50 year growth plan for the city based on GIS data to help manage sprawl.

    Given Bass’s progressive policy proposals and Mayor Linda Johnson’s long-term commitment to improving Suffolk residents’ daily lives, either is a progressive choice for the city.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Brian Bass

    Brian Bass has served as a Town Councilman for the Nansemond Indian Nation and has held leadership positions at Holy Neck Christian Church. He is running on a platform of transparency, economic growth, and equality.

    Brian Bass has served as a Town Councilman for the Nansemond Indian Nation and has held leadership positions at Holy Neck Christian Church. He is running on a platform of transparency, economic growth, and equality. He views his heritage as an unbreakable bond with the city of Suffolk and has established a non-profit, Brain Bass for Suffolk Inc., which has coordinated volunteers for food banks in the wake of COVID-19.

    He is committed to raising teacher pay in Suffolk, which has some of the lowest teacher salaries in the Commonwealth. He also wants the city council to support local small businesses in the wake of COVID-19’s economic impact.

    He wants first responders to be represented at City Council meetings to provide input on moving forward as a city.

    Bass intends to implement a 30-50 year growth plan for the city based on GIS data to help manage sprawl.

    Given Bass’s progressive policy proposals and Mayor Linda Johnson’s long-term commitment to improving Suffolk residents’ daily lives, either is a progressive choice for the city.

    Brian Bass

    Brian Bass has served as a Town Councilman for the Nansemond Indian Nation and has held leadership positions at Holy Neck Christian Church. He is running on a platform of transparency, economic growth, and equality.

  • Mayor Linda Johnson became Suffolk’s first female mayor in 2006 and became Suffolk’s first directly elected mayor in 2008 when election rules for the city changed. A resident of Suffolk since her teenage years, Johnson currently works for Berkshire Town Realty. She currently serves on the Hampton Roads Transportation Committee and is chair of the Hampton Roads Accountability Commission. Johnson also served on Gov. McAuliffe’s Transition Council on Local Government.

    Johnson is credited with much of the city’s growth that has taken place during her time as mayor. Johnson is a consensus builder and a citizen’s advocate who works to improve Suffolk’s daily life.

    Since the onset of COVID-19, Mayor Johnson has been at the forefront of Suffolk’s pandemic response, spreading awareness of testing drives and other response measures through social media pages and the city’s web page.

    On issues of racial justice, Johnson and other city council members have expressed support for the George Floyd protests.

    Given Bass’s progressive policy proposals and Mayor Linda Johnson’s long-term commitment to improving Suffolk residents’ daily lives, either is a progressive choice for the city.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Linda Johnson

    Mayor Linda Johnson became Suffolk’s first female mayor in 2006 and became Suffolk’s first directly elected mayor in 2008 when election rules for the city changed. A resident of Suffolk since her teenage years, Johnson currently works for Berkshire Town Realty.

    Mayor Linda Johnson became Suffolk’s first female mayor in 2006 and became Suffolk’s first directly elected mayor in 2008 when election rules for the city changed. A resident of Suffolk since her teenage years, Johnson currently works for Berkshire Town Realty. She currently serves on the Hampton Roads Transportation Committee and is chair of the Hampton Roads Accountability Commission. Johnson also served on Gov. McAuliffe’s Transition Council on Local Government.

    Johnson is credited with much of the city’s growth that has taken place during her time as mayor. Johnson is a consensus builder and a citizen’s advocate who works to improve Suffolk’s daily life.

    Since the onset of COVID-19, Mayor Johnson has been at the forefront of Suffolk’s pandemic response, spreading awareness of testing drives and other response measures through social media pages and the city’s web page.

    On issues of racial justice, Johnson and other city council members have expressed support for the George Floyd protests.

    Given Bass’s progressive policy proposals and Mayor Linda Johnson’s long-term commitment to improving Suffolk residents’ daily lives, either is a progressive choice for the city.

    Linda Johnson

    Mayor Linda Johnson became Suffolk’s first female mayor in 2006 and became Suffolk’s first directly elected mayor in 2008 when election rules for the city changed. A resident of Suffolk since her teenage years, Johnson currently works for Berkshire Town Realty.

Other Candidates

Their opponent, Councilmember Mike Duman, has made social media posts indicating a lack of support for or skepticism over the George Floyd protests. Duman has also made several pro-police statements but otherwise has not put forth any real platform. On May 2, his personal Facebook promised that a website would be coming within a few weeks. Duman also voted with the rest of Suffolk’s City Council to turn Suffolk into a Second Amendment Sanctuary city.

Another opponent, Vanessa Harris, is listed as a candidate by the Suffolk Board of Elections but has no public information posted online about her platform.

Suffolk Mayor - others

Their opponent, Councilmember Mike Duman, has made social media posts indicating a lack of support for or skepticism over the George Floyd protests. Duman has also made several pro-police statements but otherwise has not put forth any real platform.

City District Races

Depending on where you live, you may have the following district races on your ballot.

No Recommendation

About the Race

The election for Nansemond Borough’s representative for Suffolk City Council takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Lou Ward, former local NAACP president, is running against newcomer Courtney Wolfe.

About the District

Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. Suffolk has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 2008, with Hillary Clinton earning just under 55% of the vote. Despite this, many members of the Suffolk City Council are still conservative, and the city declared itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary in 2020. The Nansemond Borough consists of the Harborview, Burbage Grant, and Huntersville precincts. Nansemond tends to vote Democratic, with Hillary Clinton earning more than 60% of the borough’s vote in 2016.

Recommendation

Candidate Courtney Wolfe is the former Parent Teacher Student Association President of John Yeates Middle School. Wolfe has spoken on wanting to address infrastructure issues and has solicited public input over how people in the Nansemond Borough would like to see the money that Suffolk received from the federal Coronavirus relief package, the CARES Act, properly distributed.

However, a lack of other online information about her means we cannot guarantee she will make progressive choices.

Incumbent Lue Ward was the president of his local chapter of the NAACP before being elected to City Council in 2012. He has openly expressed opinions against racially gerrymandered districts and maps and has called for fair redistricting reforms.

However, Lue Ward also voted in support of a resolution that would turn Suffolk into a Second Amendment sanctuary in late 2019.

No Recommendation - Suffolk - Nansemond Borough

About the Race

The election for Nansemond Borough’s representative for Suffolk City Council takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Lou Ward, former local NAACP president, is running against newcomer Courtney Wolfe.

  • About the Race

    The election for Nansemond Borough’s representative for Suffolk City Council takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Judith Brooks-Buck, a former school principal, is running against newcomer and business owner Andy Hilton.

    About the District

    Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. Suffolk has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 2008, with Hillary Clinton earning just under 55% of the vote. However, many members of the Suffolk City Council are still conservative, and the city declared itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary in 2020. The Nansemond Borough consists of the Harborview, Burbage Grant, and Huntersville precincts. Nansemond tends to vote Democratic, with Hillary Clinton earning more than 60% of the borough’s vote in 2016.

    Recommendation

    Suffolk School Board Vice-Chair Dr. Judy Brooks-Buck has represented the Nansemond District on the school board since 2013. Before serving on the school board, she was a school principal and special education teacher for more than 25 years. Dr. Brooks-Buck served as the executive director of a family self-sufficiency program as part of a HOPE-VI Grant in Portsmouth for three years.

    Brooks supported student walkout demonstrations against gun violence.
    She is concerned with decreasing drop-out rates and addressing the issues of overcrowded schools.

    Her opponent, Andy Hilton, is a business owner with no teaching experience or school administrative experience. Hilton is passionate about the impact that sports can have on the lives of students. He seems to have no concrete plans to improve schools themselves, but is instead focused on what he claims is corruption within the School Board. Given that his policies regarding schools and students seem unclear, he cannot be trusted to make progressive choices for Suffolk City schools.

    Given her experience, her work on the school board, and her support for student demonstrations, Dr. Judy Brooks-Buck is the most progressive choice in this race.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Judith Brooks-Buck

    About the Race

    The election for Nansemond Borough’s representative for Suffolk City Council takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Judith Brooks-Buck, a former school principal, is running against newcomer and business owner Andy Hilton.

    About the District

    Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. Suffolk has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 2008, with Hillary Clinton earning just under 55% of the vote. However, many members of the Suffolk City Council are still conservative, and the city declared itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary in 2020. The Nansemond Borough consists of the Harborview, Burbage Grant, and Huntersville precincts. Nansemond tends to vote Democratic, with Hillary Clinton earning more than 60% of the borough’s vote in 2016.

    Recommendation

    Suffolk School Board Vice-Chair Dr. Judy Brooks-Buck has represented the Nansemond District on the school board since 2013. Before serving on the school board, she was a school principal and special education teacher for more than 25 years. Dr. Brooks-Buck served as the executive director of a family self-sufficiency program as part of a HOPE-VI Grant in Portsmouth for three years.

    Brooks supported student walkout demonstrations against gun violence.
    She is concerned with decreasing drop-out rates and addressing the issues of overcrowded schools.

    Her opponent, Andy Hilton, is a business owner with no teaching experience or school administrative experience. Hilton is passionate about the impact that sports can have on the lives of students. He seems to have no concrete plans to improve schools themselves, but is instead focused on what he claims is corruption within the School Board. Given that his policies regarding schools and students seem unclear, he cannot be trusted to make progressive choices for Suffolk City schools.

    Given her experience, her work on the school board, and her support for student demonstrations, Dr. Judy Brooks-Buck is the most progressive choice in this race.

    About the Race

    The election for Nansemond Borough’s representative for Suffolk City Council takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Judith Brooks-Buck, a former school principal, is running against newcomer and business owner Andy Hilton.

    About the District

    Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. Suffolk has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 2008, with Hillary Clinton earning just under 55% of the vote. However, many members of the Suffolk City Council are still conservative, and the city declared itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary in 2020. The Nansemond Borough consists of the Harborview, Burbage Grant, and Huntersville precincts. Nansemond tends to vote Democratic, with Hillary Clinton earning more than 60% of the borough’s vote in 2016.

    Recommendation

    Suffolk School Board Vice-Chair Dr. Judy Brooks-Buck has represented the Nansemond District on the school board since 2013. Before serving on the school board, she was a school principal and special education teacher for more than 25 years. Dr. Brooks-Buck served as the executive director of a family self-sufficiency program as part of a HOPE-VI Grant in Portsmouth for three years.

    Brooks supported student walkout demonstrations against gun violence.
    She is concerned with decreasing drop-out rates and addressing the issues of overcrowded schools.

    Her opponent, Andy Hilton, is a business owner with no teaching experience or school administrative experience. Hilton is passionate about the impact that sports can have on the lives of students. He seems to have no concrete plans to improve schools themselves, but is instead focused on what he claims is corruption within the School Board. Given that his policies regarding schools and students seem unclear, he cannot be trusted to make progressive choices for Suffolk City schools.

    Given her experience, her work on the school board, and her support for student demonstrations, Dr. Judy Brooks-Buck is the most progressive choice in this race.

    Judith Brooks-Buck

    About the Race

    The election for Nansemond Borough’s representative for Suffolk City Council takes place on November 3, 2020, in conjunction with the US presidential election. Incumbent Judith Brooks-Buck, a former school principal, is running against newcomer and business owner Andy Hilton.

    About the District

    Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. Suffolk has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 2008, with Hillary Clinton earning just under 55% of the vote. However, many members of the Suffolk City Council are still conservative, and the city declared itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary in 2020. The Nansemond Borough consists of the Harborview, Burbage Grant, and Huntersville precincts. Nansemond tends to vote Democratic, with Hillary Clinton earning more than 60% of the borough’s vote in 2016.

    Recommendation

    Suffolk School Board Vice-Chair Dr. Judy Brooks-Buck has represented the Nansemond District on the school board since 2013. Before serving on the school board, she was a school principal and special education teacher for more than 25 years. Dr. Brooks-Buck served as the executive director of a family self-sufficiency program as part of a HOPE-VI Grant in Portsmouth for three years.

    Brooks supported student walkout demonstrations against gun violence.
    She is concerned with decreasing drop-out rates and addressing the issues of overcrowded schools.

    Her opponent, Andy Hilton, is a business owner with no teaching experience or school administrative experience. Hilton is passionate about the impact that sports can have on the lives of students. He seems to have no concrete plans to improve schools themselves, but is instead focused on what he claims is corruption within the School Board. Given that his policies regarding schools and students seem unclear, he cannot be trusted to make progressive choices for Suffolk City schools.

    Given her experience, her work on the school board, and her support for student demonstrations, Dr. Judy Brooks-Buck is the most progressive choice in this race.

No Recommendation

About the Race

The election for Sleepy Hole Borough’s Suffolk City Council representative occurs on November 3, 2020, at the same time as the presidential election. Incumbent Roger Fawcett is running unopposed. However, he supported turning Suffolk into a Second Amendment Sanctuary City and opposed any tax revenue increases.

About the District

Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. The Sleepy Hole Borough consists of the Belleharbour, Driver, and Bennett’s Creek precincts. Sleepy Hole tends to vote Republican, with Donald Trump earning 54% of the vote in 2016.

Recommendation

Incumbent Roger Fawcett is running unopposed. He opposes any revenue increases, going so far as to refuse to consider raising taxes, even if it came at the price of losing city services. While he does support education funding, he is also a strong supporter of gun rights and voted to give the City of Suffolk Second Amendment sanctuary status.

Given Fawcett’s history of supporting gun rights and his hardline stance against necessary tax increases, we do not have a recommendation in this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

No Recommendation

About the Race

The election for Sleepy Hole Borough’s Suffolk City School Board representative occurs on November 3, 2020, at the same time as the presidential election. Incumbent David Mitnick is running unopposed in this race.

About the District

Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. The Sleepy Hole Borough consists of the Belleharbour, Driver, and Bennett’s Creek precincts. Sleepy Hole tends to vote Republican, with Donald Trump earning 54% of the vote in 2016.

Recommendation

Incumbent David Mitnick is running unopposed in this race, however, the Suffolk City School Board faces internal lawsuits and disciplinary actions over matters of conduct and transparency. The school board’s website has only posted minutes from two meetings this year and none from previous years.

Given the lack of transparency and internal issues with the Suffolk City School Board, we do not have a recommendation in this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

Suffolk School Board Sleepy Hole - No rec

About the Race

The election for Sleepy Hole Borough’s Suffolk City School Board representative occurs on November 3, 2020, at the same time as the presidential election. Incumbent David Mitnick is running unopposed in this race.

About the District

Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. The Sleepy Hole Borough consists of the Belleharbour, Driver, and Bennett’s Creek precincts. Sleepy Hole tends to vote Republican, with Donald Trump earning 54% of the vote in 2016.

Recommendation

Incumbent David Mitnick is running unopposed in this race, however, the Suffolk City School Board faces internal lawsuits and disciplinary actions over matters of conduct and transparency. The school board’s website has only posted minutes from two meetings this year and none from previous years.

Given the lack of transparency and internal issues with the Suffolk City School Board, we do not have a recommendation in this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

No Recommendation

About the Race

The election for Suffolk City Council’s Whaleyville Borough representative takes place on November 3, 2020 during the general election. Local business owner and philanthropist, LeOtis Williams, is running against incumbent Curtis Milteer and newcomer Mike Britt.

About the District

Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. Whaleyville is located between downtown Suffolk and the North Carolina border along US Route 13. Whaleyville tends to vote Republican, with Republican Congressional candidate Ryan McAdams earning 72% of the vote in 2018.

Recommendation

LeOtis Williams is a Suffolk business owner who donates turkeys to thousands of Suffolk families in need every Thanksgiving, which has earned him the nickname “Turkey Man.” He has also hosted campaign events for Tim Kaine with the Suffolk Democratic Committee.

While Williams’s opponent, incumbent Curtis Milteer, expanded the service of utilities and improved school conditions, he also voted in support of turning Suffolk into a Second Amendment sanctuary city.

Candidate Mike Britt is also running for the Whaleyville Borough City Council seat, but there is no public information available about him online.

Due to the incumbent’s support for Second Amendment sanctuary cities and the lack of information on other candidates, we do not have a recommendation in this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

No Recommendation

About the Race

The election for the Whaleyville Borough seat on the Suffolk City School Board takes place on November 3, 2020 during the general election. Incumbent Phyllis Collier Byrum is running unopposed in this race.

About the District

Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. Whaleyville is located between downtown Suffolk and the North Carolina border along US Route 13. Whaleyville tends to vote Republican, with Republican Congressional candidate Ryan McAdams earning 72% of the vote in 2018.

Recommendation

Incumbent Phyllis Collier Byrum is running unopposed in this race, however, the Suffolk City School Board faces internal lawsuits and disciplinary actions over matters of conduct and transparency. The school board’s website has only posted minutes from two meetings this year and none from previous years.

Given the lack of transparency and internal issues with the Suffolk City School Board, we do not have a recommendation in this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

Suffolk School Board Whaleyville - No Rec

About the Race

The election for the Whaleyville Borough seat on the Suffolk City School Board takes place on November 3, 2020 during the general election. Incumbent Phyllis Collier Byrum is running unopposed in this race.

About the District

Suffolk is an independent city located in Hampton Roads. Much of the city is located on either the James or Nansemond Rivers and the city has a population of roughly 100,000. Whaleyville is located between downtown Suffolk and the North Carolina border along US Route 13. Whaleyville tends to vote Republican, with Republican Congressional candidate Ryan McAdams earning 72% of the vote in 2018.

Recommendation

Incumbent Phyllis Collier Byrum is running unopposed in this race, however, the Suffolk City School Board faces internal lawsuits and disciplinary actions over matters of conduct and transparency. The school board’s website has only posted minutes from two meetings this year and none from previous years.

Given the lack of transparency and internal issues with the Suffolk City School Board, we do not have a recommendation in this race. You have the option to write in a candidate of your choosing.

  • VOTE NO

    Vote NO on this Flawed Amendment

  • We all deserve free and fair elections so that all of us can make our voices heard with equal power in our communities. But for years, conservative politicians have been doing everything they can to hoard power and ensure that they get re-elected no matter what the people want. They’ve done this by rigging district maps to dilute the power of communities of color and prevent people from making their voices heard. This November, there will be a constitutional amendment on the ballot that enshrines in our state constitution the power of politicians to pick their voters instead of allowing voters to choose their representatives. We need to vote no on this political bait and switch and ensure that the power stays with the people, not power-hungry politicians.

    About the Amendment
    This amendment gives the power to draw political maps to a commission made up of politicians and people hand-picked by politicians. They will draw the maps, and then members of the General Assembly will vote to accept or reject them. This amendment does not remove politicians from the process. The amendment also fails to adequately protect people of color in the constitution, instead relying on separate legislation that could be repealed, jeopardizing civil rights protections.

    We deserve a truly independent commission to ensure fair and equitable redistricting. Vote no on this amendment to put the power back in the hands of the people and keep politicians from choosing their voters instead of the other way around.

    About the Decision
    We can’t get clean elections with dirty maps drawn by politicians more interested in protecting their power than ensuring our voices are heard in our democracy.  We need to give the power back to the people and remove politicians from the process of drawing political boundaries completely. We can create a commission of concerned voters and nonpartisan experts who can draw fair, compact districts that ensure communities of color are protected, and everyone can make their voice heard equally.

    Amending the constitution is a big deal, and if we’re going to do it, we need to make sure we are getting it right. We don’t have to accept a flawed amendment or nothing at all. We can go back to the drawing board and ensure that what we are enshrining permanently in our constitution is fair, just, equitable, and gets us the results we want. Leaders in our community such as Congressman Donald McEachin and Congressman Bobby Scott know that this amendment is the wrong move. 


    The most progressive approach to redistricting is to vote NO on this flawed amendment and demand better to simultaneously protect historically underrepresented communities and draw fair district lines by including strong, specific, and clear rules to protect communities of color.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    We all deserve free and fair elections so that all of us can make our voices heard with equal power in our communities. But for years, conservative politicians have been doing everything they can to hoard power and ensure that they get re-elected no matter what the people want. They’ve done this by rigging district maps to dilute the power of communities of color and prevent people from making their voices heard. This November, there will be a constitutional amendment on the ballot that enshrines in our state constitution the power of politicians to pick their voters instead of allowing voters to choose their representatives. We need to vote no on this political bait and switch and ensure that the power stays with the people, not power-hungry politicians.

    About the Amendment
    This amendment gives the power to draw political maps to a commission made up of politicians and people hand-picked by politicians. They will draw the maps, and then members of the General Assembly will vote to accept or reject them. This amendment does not remove politicians from the process. The amendment also fails to adequately protect people of color in the constitution, instead relying on separate legislation that could be repealed, jeopardizing civil rights protections.

    We deserve a truly independent commission to ensure fair and equitable redistricting. Vote no on this amendment to put the power back in the hands of the people and keep politicians from choosing their voters instead of the other way around.

    About the Decision
    We can’t get clean elections with dirty maps drawn by politicians more interested in protecting their power than ensuring our voices are heard in our democracy.  We need to give the power back to the people and remove politicians from the process of drawing political boundaries completely. We can create a commission of concerned voters and nonpartisan experts who can draw fair, compact districts that ensure communities of color are protected, and everyone can make their voice heard equally.

    Amending the constitution is a big deal, and if we’re going to do it, we need to make sure we are getting it right. We don’t have to accept a flawed amendment or nothing at all. We can go back to the drawing board and ensure that what we are enshrining permanently in our constitution is fair, just, equitable, and gets us the results we want. Leaders in our community such as Congressman Donald McEachin and Congressman Bobby Scott know that this amendment is the wrong move. 


    The most progressive approach to redistricting is to vote NO on this flawed amendment and demand better to simultaneously protect historically underrepresented communities and draw fair district lines by including strong, specific, and clear rules to protect communities of color.

    We all deserve free and fair elections so that all of us can make our voices heard with equal power in our communities. But for years, conservative politicians have been doing everything they can to hoard power and ensure that they get re-elected no matter what the people want. They’ve done this by rigging district maps to dilute the power of communities of color and prevent people from making their voices heard. This November, there will be a constitutional amendment on the ballot that enshrines in our state constitution the power of politicians to pick their voters instead of allowing voters to choose their representatives. We need to vote no on this political bait and switch and ensure that the power stays with the people, not power-hungry politicians.

    About the Amendment
    This amendment gives the power to draw political maps to a commission made up of politicians and people hand-picked by politicians. They will draw the maps, and then members of the General Assembly will vote to accept or reject them. This amendment does not remove politicians from the process. The amendment also fails to adequately protect people of color in the constitution, instead relying on separate legislation that could be repealed, jeopardizing civil rights protections.

    We deserve a truly independent commission to ensure fair and equitable redistricting. Vote no on this amendment to put the power back in the hands of the people and keep politicians from choosing their voters instead of the other way around.

    About the Decision
    We can’t get clean elections with dirty maps drawn by politicians more interested in protecting their power than ensuring our voices are heard in our democracy.  We need to give the power back to the people and remove politicians from the process of drawing political boundaries completely. We can create a commission of concerned voters and nonpartisan experts who can draw fair, compact districts that ensure communities of color are protected, and everyone can make their voice heard equally.

    Amending the constitution is a big deal, and if we’re going to do it, we need to make sure we are getting it right. We don’t have to accept a flawed amendment or nothing at all. We can go back to the drawing board and ensure that what we are enshrining permanently in our constitution is fair, just, equitable, and gets us the results we want. Leaders in our community such as Congressman Donald McEachin and Congressman Bobby Scott know that this amendment is the wrong move. 


    The most progressive approach to redistricting is to vote NO on this flawed amendment and demand better to simultaneously protect historically underrepresented communities and draw fair district lines by including strong, specific, and clear rules to protect communities of color.

    Virginia Redistricting Commission Constitutional Amendment

    We all deserve free and fair elections so that all of us can make our voices heard with equal power in our communities. But for years, conservative politicians have been doing everything they can to hoard power and ensure that they get re-elected no matter what the people want.

  • No Position

    No Position: Motor Vehicle Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans

  • This tax exemption will exclusively benefit veterans residing in Virginia who have a disability 100% connected to their service.

    This amendment was proposed by Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and was approved unanimously in the Senate and near-unanimously in the House. It will grant a property tax exemption for a single vehicle to disabled veterans whose disability is 100% connected with their service. There have been calls to limit the maximum value of cars that may be included in this exemption or limit the exemption based on the veteran’s income, which would be addressed later through legislation in the General Assembly.

    Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League (VML) both objected to this exemption because they believed that property tax exemptions should remain under local jurisdiction and not be mandated by the General Assembly. The VML argues that because localities do not decide to declare and send soldiers to war, the financial responsibility for caring for them should fall not on localities but on the federal government.
     

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    This tax exemption will exclusively benefit veterans residing in Virginia who have a disability 100% connected to their service.

    This amendment was proposed by Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and was approved unanimously in the Senate and near-unanimously in the House. It will grant a property tax exemption for a single vehicle to disabled veterans whose disability is 100% connected with their service. There have been calls to limit the maximum value of cars that may be included in this exemption or limit the exemption based on the veteran’s income, which would be addressed later through legislation in the General Assembly.

    Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League (VML) both objected to this exemption because they believed that property tax exemptions should remain under local jurisdiction and not be mandated by the General Assembly. The VML argues that because localities do not decide to declare and send soldiers to war, the financial responsibility for caring for them should fall not on localities but on the federal government.
     

    This tax exemption will exclusively benefit veterans residing in Virginia who have a disability 100% connected to their service.

    This amendment was proposed by Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and was approved unanimously in the Senate and near-unanimously in the House. It will grant a property tax exemption for a single vehicle to disabled veterans whose disability is 100% connected with their service. There have been calls to limit the maximum value of cars that may be included in this exemption or limit the exemption based on the veteran’s income, which would be addressed later through legislation in the General Assembly.

    Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League (VML) both objected to this exemption because they believed that property tax exemptions should remain under local jurisdiction and not be mandated by the General Assembly. The VML argues that because localities do not decide to declare and send soldiers to war, the financial responsibility for caring for them should fall not on localities but on the federal government.