Latest news with #referendum
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New committee rakes in big dollars to influence Virginia Beach election referendum
VIRGINIA BEACH — A new political group backed by local business leaders and elected officials is raking in large donations in its bid to alter Virginia Beach's election system. Every Vote Counts, a referendum committee, has raised more than $330,000 since forming June 9, according to finance reports filed with the Virginia Department of Elections. The committee is gearing up to launch a campaign to persuade Virginia Beach residents to vote 'no' to a district-only election system in November. The committee wants a City Council with seven district-based seats and three seats elected at-large along with the mayor. A referendum question on the ballot this year will ask voters whether they prefer that alignment or the current system, which has 10 single-member districts. 'More citywide representation is good,' said former council member Linwood Branch, the mouthpiece for the group. Virginia Beach's former all at-large election system was overhauled after a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional in 2021, finding it diluted the voting power of minority voters. The city then shifted to the 10-1 election system, with three majority minority districts. But the city has faced lawsuits challenging the validity of the current iteration based on the way changes were adopted. The referendum is the latest in a string of efforts to garner public feedback on how the city should elect its school board and council members. The effort already has drawn support from high-profile business leaders, pulling in a steady stream of donations — ranging from $2,500 to $25,000. The committee is an unstructured group, according to Branch. The group's treasurer is Jack Ross, former president and COO of Dominion and Landmark Media enterprises, which used to own The Virginian-Pilot. Ross collects the funds and Davis Ad Agency is running the promotional campaign. However, multiple business leaders and current and former elected officials are also using their connections to support the effort. Among them are former Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms, developer Bruce Thompson and councilmen Stacy Cummings and Cash Green. 'It's been largely word-of-mouth,' Ross said. Earlier this month, Bob Taylor and his brother, Joe, owners of Taylor's Do-It Centers, each made $10,000 donations to Every Vote Counts in support of an election system with some at-large representation. 'I think it's a much better blend than what we have now,' said Bob Taylor. Sessoms, his longtime friend, approached him about the committee and a donation, he said. Sessoms did not respond to a request for comment. Thompson, who declined to comment, is among 'many prominent supporters,' Branch said. The Pilot also reached out to several donors who did not respond, including Virginia Beach Development Authority member and developer Taylor Franklin, CEO of Franklin Group Companies LLC., which made a $20,000 donation on June 17. Donna Whitaker, a principal broker for Venture Realty Group, the firm behind the Atlantic Park project, contributed $10,000 on June 24. She confirmed the donation but didn't respond as to why she supported the committee. Cummings contributed $10,000 to Every Vote Counts on July 7. He believes the current 10-1 system divides the city. Cummings has served as the District 8 representative since January. 'I'm sitting in these council meeting and invariably, in every meeting, you have people saying my district, my district, my district,' Cummings said. 'It's an impediment of growth for the city, and we're not holding people accountable.' Seven people/businesses have donated $25,000 so far, the largest amount to the effort. They are Pramod Amin of Shamin Hotels; MEB General Contractors Inc.; Manan Shah of Pashm Global Hotel and Resort Management; Brian Holland of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group; Robert Beasley of Harvey Lindsay, Sunsations Inc.; and Michael Sifen of Sifen Companies. Under the city's previous election system, which was ruled illegal, residents across the city could vote for all 10 council members and the mayor. Under the current system, residents can only vote for the member who represents their district and the mayor. One of Every Vote Counts' key arguments for more at-large representation is that it will increase accountability to voters. 'There's no better accountability then being able to vote for or against someone,' Branch said. 'I believe as a former elected official, if someone can vote for or against you, it does make a difference in your accessibility.' The group will launch a website, next week and other promotional material to get the word out before early voting begins Sept. 19, Branch said. Green, who has represented District 7 since January, will appear in a testimonial video. 'Under the 7-3-1, we can keep strong minority voting district and add the chance for more minority leaders to be elected city-wide,' Green said in the video, which Branch shared with The Pilot before its public launch. 'By voting no to 10-1, you're taking back the power to shape the future of our city, our schools, our neighborhoods, our quality of life.' The referendum will pose the question: 'Should the method of city council elections set forth in the Virginia Beach City Charter be changed from a modified 7-3-1 system to a 10-1 system?' That Branch is involved in the effort should come as no surprise. He and four other residents sued the city last year, saying Virginia Beach acted illegally in 2023 when it revised the election system because the General Assembly did not authorize a change to the city charter. A judge ruled last month that the district-based election system Virginia Beach imposed to comply with federal voting rights law is void. Circuit Judge Randall Smith stayed the order until after the referendum vote. If the city decides to pursue a 7-3-1 system, Smith would lift the stay so Virginia Beach can redraw its voting districts, which would need to be analyzed to see if they meet the federal standard, according to the court proceedings' transcript. Virginia Beach's voting system shake-up came after a federal judge ruled in 2021 the at-large voting system violated the federal 1965 Voting Rights Act because it 'denies Hispanics, African Americans and Asians equal access to the electoral and political process.' The same federal judge — Randall Jackson — officially reopened the case while lambasting city officials for what he described as intentionally sidestepping federal law by pursuing the referendum question. To date, Virginia Beach has spent more than $2 million defending the city in the federal lawsuit, according to the city attorney's office. Mayor Bobby Dyer met Wednesday with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares to ensure that holding the referendum is 'above board,' Dyer said. Miyares, who lives in Virginia Beach, previously said he believes the city can bring back several council seats that would be elected at-large. After meeting with Dyer, his legal analysis remained unchanged. 'A modified 7-3-1 council plan would be in full compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act, the Virginia Voting Rights Act, and all applicable civil rights laws,' a spokesperson for Miyares' wrote in an email. Meanwhile, those in support of the 10-1 system are trying to make their voices heard, too, while decrying the opposing effort. 'This system ensures direct representation and accountability,' Sean Monteiro, chair of the Virginia Beach Democrat Committee, wrote in a newsletter this month. 'A developer-backed front group called Every Vote Counts — funded by the 'Gold Key Gang'— is working to dilute democracy and buy power. But we know better.' Thompson is CEO of Gold Key|PHR, a hospitality and commercial real estate development firm. State Sen. Aaron Rouse, a Democrat from Virginia Beach and a former council member, condemned what he described as the city leadership's attempts to squash a 10-district election system. 'This resistance has been led by the current mayor and several council members,' Rouse said in a July 11 release. 'Notably, the mayor has met with former council members, certain developers, and state officials in efforts to preserve a system that reinforces economic disparities, limits upward mobility and denies equal access to power.' Rouse posted the release on social media with a message: 'I urge all Virginia Beach residents to vote 'YES' to preserve the 10-1 voting system and ensure you have the right to elect your representatives, not special interests.' On Thursday, Virginia Beach's election system took center stage during a 'Good Trouble Lives On' event at the central library, hosted by Freedom Virginia and the NAACP. 'I suggest we go to the polls, and we vote for the referendum, and we vote 'yes,'' said Georgia Allen, one of the plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit. Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, Solve the daily Crossword
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Swinney vows to ‘turn up heat' on UK Government over independence
John Swinney has attempted to placate SNP rebels calling for him to be replaced by pledging to 'turn the heat up' on the UK Government to allow a second independence referendum. The First Minister unveiled a three-point plan to achieve separation, the first of which was increasing support for breaking away from the UK to the highest 'possible' level. Mr Swinney said the second stage would be to 'turn the heat up' on the UK Government to allow a rerun of the 2014 independence referendum, which the Nationalists lost by nearly 11 points. The final stage of the plan was to deliver an 'emphatic win' for the SNP in next year's Holyrood election, when the party will be looking to achieve an unprecedented fifth term in office. Mr Swinney argued that during the next Holyrood parliament, a generation will have 'clearly' passed since the last referendum, with a million Scots on the electoral roll who were not eligible to cast a ballot in 2014. But Holyrood's Unionist parties said Mr Swinney's intervention was the 'latest desperate hit of the independence panic button' amid calls from SNP rebels for him to be ditched as party leader. It was reported in June that he risked facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October unless he comes up with a new strategy to achieve Scottish independence. After taking over last year, Mr Swinney initially won praise for overseeing a recovery in the SNP's fortunes following the troubled final months of Nicola Sturgeon 's premiership and Humza Yousaf 's chaotic tenure. But internal grumbling about his leadership has increased since June's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Scottish Parliament by-election, when Labour pulled off a shock victory after the SNP vote share fell. Successive UK governments have repeatedly turned down SNP calls for a second referendum, with the UK Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that only Westminster can allow another poll. Writing in the independence-supporting National newspaper, Mr Swinney said the first part of his plan 'will be a campaign designed to build the highest levels of support possible for independence as the best future for Scotland'. 'I will be saying to those who voted Yes in 2014, and who have become independence supporters in the years since, that what they believed in then is just as valid today,' he wrote. He has also angered hard-line Nationalists by warning that support for independence will have to increase to more than 60 per cent to force the UK Government to allow another referendum. 'They saw that Britain was fundamentally broken, that Westminster couldn't deliver on their dreams and aspirations, and what they saw has come to pass. And now it is time to do something about it. 'But I will also be urging people who were not persuaded of the merits of independence in 2014 to see the state of Britain today and take a different view.' He said the second stage would involve ' building public pressure around Scotland's fundamental national rights', including its ability to 'determine her own future'. 'We are ready to turn the heat up on Westminster and its anti-democratic stance, mobilising the support, energy and the impetus of people in Scotland behind the simple idea: no ifs, no buts, Scotland has the right to choose' the First Minister said. Mr Swinney said his 'priority' was to deliver an election win next May, adding: 'History tells us that only when the SNP is doing well is there any prospect of advancing on Scotland's constitutional cause.' But Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's deputy leader, said: 'Scots will be shaking their heads at John Swinney's latest desperate hit of the independence panic button – it's clear he's a man that's out of ideas and out of steam. 'Twenty-five years ago, John Swinney, the then SNP leader, claimed that independence was 'closer than ever'. Now, he is attempting to lead his troops up the hill once more – but even they don't buy it. John Swinney offers absolutely no vision and no hope for the people of Scotland.' Rachael Hamilton, the Scottish Tory deputy leader, said: 'Scots are scunnered with John Swinney and the SNP's endless obsession with independence. 'The Nationalists are continuing to prioritise their own interests rather than focusing on what truly impacts the lives of Scots.'
CBC
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Victoria, Saanich to work on amalgamation question for next municipal election
In Vancouver Island, there are calls for two cities to join together. Councilors in Victoria have paved the way for a referendum on amalgamation with the district of Saanich.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
John Swinney's independence pitch could be key to SNP fortunes
John Swinney has outlined his strategy for achieving independence in The National headline promises a "renewed" approach, but much of it feels familiar to what the first minister has been saying since he took over his party last year.A three-pronged strategy has been proposed by the SNP of all, he wants to see a campaign to build "the highest levels of support possible for independence".There have been voices in the SNP for some time saying that an independence vote should be a rubber stamp on the "settled will" of the people of Scotland. What is John Swinney's independence strategy? Previously, when pressed on what demonstrable support looks like, Swinney has cited the 1997 referendum on devolution. In that vote, 74% of Scots wanted a Scottish the first minister has written that he wants to build "public pressure around Scotland's fundamental national rights".Elsewhere in the article Swinney confirms that an "agreed democratic referendum" is the route to Supreme Court has previously ruled that this power lies with the UK government. So he wants to pile pressure on ministers in London to give the Scottish Parliament a say on when (and if) another vote would he achieve that? See point Swinney says an "emphatic" SNP win in next year's Holyrood election would help the ultimate cause of the this probably has a lot to do with why the first minister is outlining his proposals now. The SNP's voter base is vastly in favour of independence (no shocks there).He needs them to turn out and back his party next year. And he doesn't want them looking towards other pro-independence options – such as the Greens or is this an aggressive enough independence strategy for those who are impatient for constitutional change?A broad plan has been outlined. The exact mechanics are still up in the his predecessors have been stung by offering too much on this Sturgeon previously set a date for a second referendum. She also pledged a general election could be a "de-facto" vote on of those promises came to fruition. Is independence still an SNP priority? Humza Yousaf promised independence would be "page one, line one" of the SNP's 2024 general election manifesto. He was out of the job by that point, but that pledge SNP then had a disastrous result, losing 39 has to try and inspire his followers on the independence question, but he also doesn't want to he has a balancing act to manage. He doesn't want to be accused of focusing too forcefully on the constitution at a time when there are plenty of day-to-day issues to be does feel as though the independence issue has slipped down the agenda in recent Keir Starmer even went as far as claiming recently that the first minister had not brought it up with him as a "first priority".He also indicated another vote would not happen while he was in Downing Street. What makes an independence mandate? There are signs that people on both sides of the argument are coalescing around a position – that support for independence has to get to higher levels if a second vote is to is a position that was even outlined by former Conservative minister Michael Gove is significant that Swinney is outlining his independence approach with an election looming. But there are still plenty of unanswered level of support does he think independence needs to get to? How exactly will he convince a UK government to relent on a second referendum?What represents an "emphatic" election win? If the SNP loses seats (which current polling suggests they will) could they really claim a mandate to move independence forward?Swinney makes clear that independence is what he's in the job to not the first SNP leader to say are voices in his party telling him to move quicker. And he will have others advocating a slow and steady of his success – or failure – in next year's election will depend on how he navigates this issue.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
John Swinney accused of hitting the Scottish independence 'panic button' as First Minister vows to 'turn up the heat' for a new referendum ... again
was accused of hitting an independence 'panic button' today as he may yet another desperate attempt to win a new vote on pulling Scotland out of the UK. The SNP First Minister vowed to 'turn up the heat' on Keir Starmer in a bid to get a new referendum, 11 years after Scots voted to stay in the union. Writing in the National newspaper he pledged to increase support for Scotland leaving the UK and stressed the importance of supporters of independence backing the SNP at next year's Holyrood election. But he was immediately accused of trying to deflect voters attention from problems facing Scots. Alastair Cameron, chairman of Scotland in Union, said he was playing to independence 'obsessives with 'tired and desperate rhetoric', adding: 'Scotland deserves a government which prioritises the issues which matter most such as health, education and jobs.' And Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie added: 'Twenty five years ago (he) claimed that independence was ''closer than ever''. 'Now he is attempting to lead his troops up the hill once more – but even they don't buy it.' Since the first vote in 2014, successive UK governments have repeatedly turned down calls for a second referendum, with the UK Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that only Westminster can allow another poll. The First Minister pledged to mobilise support around the calling of another vote, though Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is extremely unlikely to back down. The first point of the three-part plan outlined by Mr Swinney – who has been feeling some pressure since the SNP lost in June the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election to up his push for independence – focuses on increasing support for leaving the UK. 'First, it will be a campaign designed to build the highest levels of support possible for independence as the best future for Scotland,' he wrote. 'I will be saying to those who voted Yes in 2014, and who have become independence supporters in the years since, that what they believed in then is just as valid today. 'They saw that Britain was fundamentally broken, that Westminster couldn't deliver on their dreams and aspirations, and what they saw has come to pass. And now it is time to do something about it. 'But I will also be urging people who were not persuaded of the merits of independence in 2014 to see the state of Britain today and take a different view.' Since taking over as SNP leader for the second time, Mr Swinney has stressed the need to increase consistent support for independence before a referendum can be pushed for, saying in a speech in January the idea has to become a 'compelling proposition' for Scots. The second point of his new plan, the First Minister said, is to put pressure on Westminster. 'Second, that means building public pressure around Scotland's fundamental national rights,' he wrote. 'The UK parties speak of a partnership of equals, but those are empty words if Scotland does not have the ability to determine her own future. 'We are ready to turn the heat up on Westminster and its anti-democratic stance, mobilising the support, energy and the impetus of people in Scotland behind the simple idea: no ifs, no buts, Scotland has the right to choose.' The third point of the strategy is to deliver an 'emphatic win' for the SNP in next year's Holyrood election. 'I want to persuade independence supporters that the way to deliver independence is only with an emphatic SNP win in 2026 and the priority is to do that now,' he wrote. 'History tells us that only when the SNP is doing well is there any prospect of advancing on Scotland's constitutional cause. 'During the next Parliament we reach the point where there will be one million people eligible to vote who, last time around, were too young to do so or not even born. A generation has now clearly passed. 'It's time for the one change that will actually make a difference for Scotland, for the fresh start our nation needs so badly. It's time for Scotland to craft her destiny by ensuring Scotland's future is in the hands of the people of Scotland.' Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: 'Scots are scunnered with John Swinney and the SNP's endless obsession with independence. 'The nationalists are continuing to prioritise their own interests rather than focusing on what truly impacts the lives of Scots. 'Patients cannot get a GP appointment, our economy is flatlining, and standards have plummeted in our schools. 'That is what John Swinney should be focusing on, rather than rehashing the same old arguments on independence that Scots are not interested in.' Neale Hanvey, the depute leader of the Alba Party, described Mr Swinney's plan as 'utterly hollow', adding: 'There's no strategy there, just the same old song of waiting for the right moment, hoping for a miracle.'
