Powhatan Board accepts District 5 supervisor’s resignation, directs special election and interim-appointment process

The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted Supervisor Denise Morrissette’s resignation and set steps to fill the impending District 5 vacancy.

At a March 23 meeting, the board voted 5–0 to acknowledge and accept Morrissette’s resignation effective May 15, 2026. The board directed County Attorney Kalli Jackson to petition the Circuit Court to issue a writ calling a special election to coincide with the next general election on Nov. 3, 2026, pursuant to Virginia Code §24.2‑226. The board also directed County Administrator Will Hagy to create and publicly announce an application process, including notice in Powhatan Today, to solicit qualified applicants to serve as the interim District 5 supervisor from mid‑May until the elected successor takes office.

The board convened a closed meeting earlier in the evening under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(1) to discuss the resignation and consult with the county attorney; after returning to open session each member certified compliance with FOIA under Va. Code §2.2‑3712(D).

Chair William Donati Jr. and other supervisors said the board would follow statutory procedures. Mr. Mark Kinney moved the board’s motion and Mr. Donati seconded; the recorded vote was unanimous. No additional timeline for the interim appointment was specified at the meeting beyond the instruction to produce an application process and public notice.

The action leaves the seat vacant on and after May 15; the special election process and any interim appointment will follow the statutory steps the board approved.

Next steps: the county attorney will file the petition with the Circuit Court and the county administrator will publish application details for interim candidates as directed by the board.