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HJ 315

Election of Circuit Court Judges, General District Court Judges, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judges.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Maldonado

Directs elections for specified Virginia circuit, general district, and juvenile & domestic relations judges for set eight- and six-year terms.

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ315ER)
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Bill Summary · HJ 315

Summary of HJ 315 (2026 Session, Virginia)

Purpose

HJ 315 is a House Joint Resolution that directs the General Assembly to proceed with the election of several Virginia state court judges for specified eight-year and six-year terms. The resolution specifies the judicial circuits and districts, the start dates for each term, and establishes the process for nominating and counting votes across both chambers (the House of Delegates and the Senate).

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Judges to be elected and term lengths

    • Circuit Court Judges (terms of 8 years)
    • Fourth Judicial Circuit — term to commence April 16, 2026
    • Tenth Judicial Circuit — term to commence July 1, 2026
    • Twelfth Judicial Circuit — term to commence July 1, 2026
    • Twenty-first Judicial Circuit — term to commence May 1, 2026
    • Twenty-second Judicial Circuit — term to commence May 1, 2026
    • Twenty-fourth Judicial Circuit — terms to commence April 1, 2026 and July 1, 2026
    • Twenty-seventh Judicial Circuit — term to commence July 1, 2026
    • General District Court Judges (terms of 6 years)
    • Fourth Judicial District — term to commence June 1, 2026
    • Sixth Judicial District — term to commence May 1, 2026
    • Tenth Judicial District — term to commence July 1, 2026
    • Twelfth Judicial District — terms to commence July 1, 2026; May 1, 2026; July 1, 2026
    • Fifteenth Judicial District — terms to commence April 1, 2026 and April 1, 2026
    • Eighteenth Judicial District — term to commence May 16, 2026
    • Twenty-first Judicial District — term to commence May 1, 2026
    • Twenty-third Judicial District — term to commence November 1, 2026
    • Twenty-sixth Judicial District — term to commence July 1, 2026
    • Twenty-seventh Judicial District — term to commence July 1, 2026
    • Twenty-ninth Judicial District — term to commence April 1, 2026
    • Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judges (terms of 6 years)
    • First Judicial District — term to commence April 1, 2026
    • Twelfth Judicial District — term to commence December 1, 2026
    • Twelfth Judicial District — term to commence July 1, 2026
    • Fifteenth Judicial District — term to commence July 1, 2026
    • Fifteenth Judicial District — term to commence April 1, 2026
    • Sixteenth Judicial District — term to commence June 1, 2026
    • Eighteenth Judicial District — term to commence April 1, 2026
    • Twenty-second Judicial District — term to commence June 1, 2026
    • Twenty-fourth Judicial District — term to commence August 1, 2026
    • Twenty-eighth Judicial District — term to commence April 1, 2026

  • Nomination and counting process

    • Nominations shall be made in the order listed in the resolution.
    • Each house (House of Delegates and Senate) shall be notified of nominations.
    • When rolls are called, a joint committee of three members from each house shall be formed to count the votes of each house for each vacancy and report results to their respective houses.
    • A joint order can be suspended by the presiding officer of either house, but not for more than 24 hours, to receive the joint committee’s report.

Procedural Details

  • Effective action date: The resolution directs the General Assembly to proceed with elections for the specified judges on the dates indicated, thereby initiating political appointments/elections for these judicial seats.
  • Status and action history: The bill passed both chambers on March 13, 2026 (unanimous or near-unanimous in each chamber) and later reflected as a completed bill text in the April 16, 2026 session record.
  • Sponsor: Co-sponsored by Michelle Maldonado.

Impact and Implications

  • The resolution clarifies the schedule and process for electing multiple Virginia judges across circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations district courts.
  • It centralizes the timeline for eight-year circuit court seats and six-year district/JDR seats, ensuring synchronized elections for the specified terms.
  • The joint counting arrangement aims to maintain cross-chamber legitimacy and transparency in judicial selections, with a short suspension mechanism to accommodate reporting.

Who is Affected

  • Virginia residents served by the listed courts may see new or continuing judges starting in the stated months.
  • The Virginia General Assembly, via the joint committee process, will actively nominate and tally votes for these judicial vacancies.

Note: This summary reflects the text and procedural provisions as introduced and subsequently acted upon in the 2026 session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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