Delegate C.E. “Cliff” Hayes, D-Chesapeake, addresses members during the floor session in January 2022 of the Virginia House of Delegates at the State Capitol. A recent investigative report provided to The Associated Press has raised questions about whether Delegate Hayes is meeting the state’s residency standards for lawmakers. He insists he is following the law.
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Virginia statehouse candidates face questions about residency requirements
Virginia state lawmakers are required to live in the district they represent, as well as in any district they might be seeking to represent. If they move out of their district, the state constitution states they are out of office. Those requirements, combined with political maps that took effect this year, have created a headache for some candidates.
