VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — It may be the issue at the bottom of the ballot, but campaign contributions are ensuring the referendum on the city's local election system remains top of mind.

Since May, nearly $600,000 total has been raised by three referendum committees created specifically to advocate for either a "Yes" or a "No" vote on the following question: "Should the method of city council elections set forth in the Virginia Beach City Charter be changed from a modified 7-3-1 system to a 10-1 system?”

Two committees are pushing for "Yes" votes, while the third is pushing for a "No" vote.

While the "No" committee has the clear cash advantage, raising more than half-a-million dollars, mainly from real estate and hospitality stakeholders, the "Yes" committees have both received "in-k

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