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Del. Patrick Hope is pressing for sweeping changes to Arlington County’s governing structure, arguing that a system created in the 1930s—when the county had about 25,000 residents and, he says, was designed to disenfranchise Black voters—no longer serves a population exceeding 240,000.

HR 2768 has cleared the House of Delegates and Senate and is awaiting action from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who has until March 24 to sign or veto it. Hope said he has received no indication of what the governor will do.

The Arlington County Board has declined to support the measure. In a statement, the board said it did not request the bill and believes any reconsideration of the county’s government should follow a thorough, inclusive process led by Arlington. Members said they have not completed enough community outreach or due diligence to endorse the proposal.

The legislation would permit Arlington to expand its five-member board to as many as 11 seats. It also would allow some or all members to be elected from geographic districts instead of electing every member countywide.

Hope said district representation could make board members more responsive to neighborhood concerns. A representative for an area along Langston Boulevard, for example, might give persistent attention to speeding there, while an at-large member must balance demands from across the county.

He also pointed to longstanding perceptions in South Arlington that the area received weaker schools, roads and even slower mail service. District seats, he said, could give residents a stronger voice. Hope acknowledged that some opponents worry the change might also make it possible to elect a conservative or Republican.

Another provision would allow voters to choose a board chair for a four-year term, replacing the current system in which the position rotates annually. Hope argued that a longer-serving chair would carry more influence in regional negotiations with Fairfax, Loudoun and Alexandria, whose elected chairs serve multiyear terms.

New board member Julius “JD” Spain Sr. challenged that assessment, saying Arlington already has substantial leverage through its participation on regional bodies. Speaking on his 77th day in office, Spain said he favors a broad public discussion involving residents, businesses and faith organizations.

Spain said the same roughly 500 engaged people often drive Arlington civic affairs. He wants to hear more from residents such as young families with school-age children, including what they understand about county government and how they view the proposed changes.

At one monthly neighborhood gathering, several women initially said they knew little about county government and were not especially interested because Arlington had generally served them well. As the conversation continued, however, they identified concerns such as property taxes, even if they did not connect those issues to individual board members or offices.

Spain said leaders should not get ahead of their constituents by deciding what reforms are appropriate before hearing from them. He suggested a blue-ribbon commission could examine the advantages, drawbacks and history of Arlington’s system, although he also noted that government leaders face more urgent priorities.

A Democratic precinct captain from Crystal City voiced a similar concern, questioning why officials should focus on restructuring the board while more pressing issues demand attention.

Board Chair Takis Karantonis said the debate is unfolding alongside federal events that could fundamentally alter Arlington. He cited concerns about the separation of powers, constitutional limits and an administration he accused of disregarding the rule of law.

Karantonis also warned of potential funding reductions and consequences for Arlington’s approximately 30,000 federal employees, as well as the many skilled government contractors living or working in the area. He described the broader political conflict as unprecedented and said the country was nearing a constitutional crisis.

Board member Matt de Ferranti agreed that Arlington should hold a wider conversation about its government, but questioned whether now is the right time. He suggested returning to the issue later in the year because the board is occupied with federal funding cuts and their effects on the community.

With events moving quickly and anxiety rising, de Ferranti said officials must respond carefully. He warned against creating a political “food fight” while residents are already dealing with stress and uncertainty, though he maintained that the governance questions eventually deserve attention.

Even if Youngkin signs the bill, Arlington’s board structure would not change automatically. Voters would gain the option—but not the obligation—to adopt reforms through a referendum.

Hope said the referendum requirement is intended to give the County Board flexibility while ensuring residents direct the outcome. If the board does not act, 10% of registered voters—about 16,000 people—could petition a court to order a referendum.

The measure faces another complication from a Senate amendment adding a reenactment clause. That provision would require lawmakers to pass the legislation again next year before it could take effect.

Hope said a Republican opponent added the clause because governance structures generally are not changed without support from the affected locality. Hope has asked Youngkin to remove the provision.

Karantonis said Arlington still needs a process for asking residents what they think, but the subject has not emerged during his door-to-door conversations. He would support a forum later in the year to discuss forming a task force.

For now, he said, Arlington’s immediate challenges must come first. Any debate over changing the board should begin by identifying what, if anything, is broken or failing in the county’s current system.