This week’s question: What do you think of the decision to move the municipal elections in several Hampton Roads cities from May to November?

The Buzz is a weekly question about an issue affecting the residents of Hampton Roads.

Virginia votes at different times instead when other elections are held. This should not be lost for political gain. Citizen participation is based on an educated, informed public, willing to responsibly vote. When voting for many candidates and offices lumped together it is more difficult for citizens to become informed.

Joseph L. Bass, Suffolk

Thanks, state Sen. Lionel Spruill, for sponsoring this bill. Chesapeake is bending over backwards to discourage people from voting in local elections. Now that they are required to hold them on Election Day in November, they don’t want them to coincide with congressional or presidential elections. They want to change it to odd years. Clearly voter suppression.

Melanie Roberts, Chesapeake

It was a bad decision by the state legislature. Most Hampton Roads mayors opposed the change and apparently were never consulted by the state senator who introduced the bill making the change. Elections in May keep the local elections from getting overshadowed by national elections held in November.

Paul Ruffle, James City County

Many people are unaware that local elections are nonpartisan. Some folks think having the local elections in November will prompt people to vote along partisan lines, or that the noise of a national election will drown out local voices. I think it will increase voter turnout, which is, in theory, pro-democracy. Georgette Constant, Norfolk

It doesn’t really matter what anyone in any Virginia city or county thinks. The imperial General Assembly has arrogantly taken it upon itself to ignore any local preferences and dictate what shall be. It’s a done deal. So, we’ll just shut up, sit down, and do what we are told.

Don Vtipil, Norfolk

In my humble opinion, voting has traditionally been in November. I prefer that tradition!

Toni Beacham, Williamsburg

It is a no-brainer. May elections are always lightly attended. Bring them together in November and get a much larger turnout.

Ann L. Hunt, James City County

Concentrating all elections in the month of November is a good thing. It will increase interest and turnout by focusing the electorate on a specific time of the year.

Dave McGinnis, Williamsburg

An issue debated for over 20 years seemingly pursued to save money spent for off-year elections and encourage greater voter turnout. In most November elections 70% is a good turnout but most voters fail to vote for constitutional amendments and lesser elected officers (beyond governor, lieutenant governor, General Assembly members, etc.).

Ross Kearney, Hampton

I think the decision is excellent. Voter turnout and voter registration will increase by moving the municipal election(s) to November. The movement should have been done in 1961, not 2021. We live in Virginia and the letter V is near the end of the alphabet. Robert Neely, Newport News

My guess is that anything which makes voting easier, also makes election fraud easier to conduct or hide as well. And I suspect that is the real goal.