Since 1977 Richmond has been divided into nine voting districts. The concept of the districts came from a federal court decision that ordered Richmond so divided, to be in line with provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
That decision came from a case in which it was determined that Richmond had deliberately sought to water down the impact of black voters by annexing a largely white part of Chesterfield County.
Each new decade, after the national census, the lines defining the district boundaries get redrawn. And, any changes in Virginia’s voting districts and methods of election are still subject to scrutiny by federal authorities.
On Nov. 4, voters in all nine districts will be choosing representatives for city council and a school board representative. They will also be voting for a new mayor and in other races on the ballot. As this is a presidential election year, voter turnout is expected to be high.
Since 1994, voters in Richmond’s nine districts have been directly electing their school board representatives, as well, rather than having them appointed by councilpersons, as was the case prior to the change 14 years ago.
Over the last year, some players have tried to promote returning to the appointment system as a political issue, but it didn't get much traction.
There are candidates and issues aplenty this election season. While the citywide mayoral race will frequently dominate local political news coverage, the real story in each district is about neighborhoods and unique personalities.
The 6th District
The salamander-shaped 6th District stretches from Highland Park and Barton Heights in North Richmond, through parts of Downtown, including the Richmond Coliseum and Shockoe Slip.
Then it crosses the James River to Blackwell, and runs all the way down the Commerce Road industrial corridor to the southern-most part of Richmond. Both the VCU Medical Center (MCV) campus and Deepwater Terminal are within the district.
No other district is so far-flung. Yet, with all that geography there are only two schools in the 6th -- Overby-Sheppard Elementary and Martin Luther King Middle. At the City of Richmond’s web site the 6th is called the “Gateway.”
Evidence gathered by the 2000 census points at the most significant problem many residents in the 6th face every day -- poverty. To support that observation, the percentage of female householders, with no spouse and related children under the age of 18, is 31 percent.
That’s the highest of any district and over twice the citywide average.
Incumbent councilperson Ellen F. Robertson, 57, is unopposed in her effort to continue to represent the 6th District.
Robertson lists “Councilwoman, 6th District” as her occupation. She has held that seat since 2003, when she replaced Sa'ad El Amin. She came to the job with a background in urban planning and nursing. She's married with two children and three grandchildren.
On issues, according to Robertson, “Richmond's greatest unmet needs are: children-first policies; poverty; [the] elimination of blight to increase affordable workforce housing in economically inclusive communities.”
On poverty Robertson says, "Richmond needs to strengthen its economy by reducing poverty through increased and improved low-income family employment opportunities, to include both youth and seniors. Our regional workforce initiatives must have poverty reduction as a required outcome."
Robertson has endorsed Del. Dwight Jones for mayor. She touts his experience in the General Assembly and his ability to work with different groups, including both grass roots organizations and corporate interests.
On regional cooperation Robertson says, "Richmond made a bold move to change its government to have an elected mayor. I think the surrounding counties should follow suit to create uniformity of government operation in the region."
There are two candidates running to represent the 6th on the school board. They are: incumbent Chandra H. Smith and challenger Arthur L. Burton.
Chandra Smith, 44, is serving her first term on the Richmond School Board. She is a real estate assistant and a tutor for adults seeking to earn a GED (high school equivalency). She’s married and her three children are adults. Smith earned a Bachelor’s degree from VCU, majoring in psychology and a Master's degree in adult education, also from VCU.
Her top priorities for her second term will be: improving teachers’ and principals’ salaries; hiring a new superintendent; a 20 year school-building plan. She cites cooperation among the mayor’s office, the city council and the school board as the key to solving problems.
As it stands, she is against the Patrick Henry charter school plan. She says the plan is “incomplete,” in that it lacks specifics.
“I’m for any innovative program that’s ready,” Smith says. “There are too many holes in the Patrick Henry plan.”
Smith hasn’t endorsed a candidate for mayor, but she says she’s “leaning toward Dwight Jones.”
Art Burton, 49, is the owner of Professional Home Services, a landscaping and maintenance business. Burton is in his senior year at VCU, working toward a degree in African American studies. He has served on the Richmond Council of PTAs. Married with two children, Burton enjoys farming in his spare time.
Among Burton’s priorities, should he be elected, are: building new schools, his own No Disrespect Campaign, and various anti-poverty measures.
On the unfolding Patrick Henry charter school application controversy, like Smith, Burton also stands in opposition. He cites his support of a comprehensive plan to build and repair several other schools, instead of moving one school at a time.
What needs to be done first to improve the quality of a public education in Richmond?
“The most important decision we will make is the choosing of a new Superintendent,” says Burton.
At this writing, Burton has not endorsed a candidate for mayor.
Meet the Other Districts:
