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Chesterfield County to run Nov. 4 school referendum; school district to reimburse costs
Summary
The council agreed Sept. 3 to run a special election for a school-district referendum on Nov. 4; county election staff estimated the cost at roughly $32,000 and said the school district agreed to reimburse the county, though details about a retainer were left to be determined.
Chesterfield County will conduct a special election on Nov. 4 to accommodate a school-district referendum, and the school district has agreed to reimburse the county for the direct costs, the council heard Sept. 3.
Ken Thurman, Voter Registration and Elections, told the council the referendum will coincide with town elections on Nov. 4 and that the county must open precincts and provide ordinary election services for the contest. Thurman estimated a small countywide special election would cost a little over $30,000 — he said “let’s say $32,000” — and clarified this election is not a state general or primary election, so the county cannot seek the usual state reimbursement for a primary/general.
Why it matters: The decision obliges county election staff to run a time-sensitive special election and creates an immediate budgetary question. The council voted to proceed with administration of the election and accepted that the school district will bear the cost; council members asked staff to confirm whether the district will post a retainer or reimburse afterward.
Council discussion and next steps
Thurman said the school district provided a letter indicating it would reimburse Chesterfield County for labor and material costs directly related to holding the special election. Council members debated whether to require a retainer up front; no specific retainer amount was set during the meeting. The council moved and approved proceeding with the election and directed staff to follow up to confirm payment logistics with the school district.
Ending: County staff will finalize arrangements with the school district and return details to the council; the election remains scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025.
