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Virginia felony voting errors collide with Question 3

Hundreds of registrations were wrongly denied or canceled, and it's unclear whether that impacted voting.

News

Virginians are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deciding whether to overhaul felony voting rights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/21/virginia-early-voting-2026-elections-guide" data-vars-content-id="6a14108b-0934-45c4-9fbb-042894a7a336" data-vars-headline="Virginia felony voting errors collide with Question 3" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/21/virginia-early-voting-2026-elections-guide" target="_self">deciding whether to overhaul felony voting rights</a> as the state cleans up hundreds of voter registrations wrongly denied or canceled over felony records — including dozens in the Richmond area.Why it matters: It&#x27;s still unclear how many eligible voters couldn&#x27;t cast ballots in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia&#x27;s August primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/03/virginia-primary-election-guide-whats-next-voters" data-vars-content-id="6a14108b-0934-45c4-9fbb-042894a7a336" data-vars-headline="Virginia felony voting errors collide with Question 3" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/03/virginia-primary-election-guide-whats-next-voters" target="_self">Virginia&#x27;s August primary</a> because of the errors, or whether any have encountered problems during early voting.

Report: Hundreds of homeless Richmond-area students live in hotels

Nearly 1 in 3 local students experiencing homelessness were living in hotels or motels in 2022-23.

Hotels have become an increasingly common last resort for Richmond-area families experiencing homelessness, according to a new report from Henrico-based advocacy group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Housing Families First" data-vars-click-url="https://housingfamiliesfirst.org/" data-vars-content-id="d13f735d-b948-4bab-b7e0-412c64d50dfa" data-vars-headline="Report: Hundreds of homeless Richmond-area students live in hotels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://housingfamiliesfirst.org/" target="_blank">Housing Families First</a>.Why it matters: Hotels are increasingly filling the gap for local families who may be able to afford monthly rent but can&#x27;t overcome the barriers to securing long-term housing.

VMFA makes historic restitution of enslaved artist's work

The deal marks the first time VMFA has recognized an enslaved artist's heirs as a work's owners.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia Museum of Fine Arts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/22/vmfa-s-next-chapter" data-vars-content-id="44a0107e-fc76-4478-98f7-cd99c73d6448" data-vars-headline="VMFA makes historic restitution of enslaved artist&#x27;s work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/22/vmfa-s-next-chapter" target="_self">Virginia Museum of Fine Arts</a> restored ownership of a stoneware jug in its collection to the descendants of the enslaved artist who created it nearly 200 years ago, the museum <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vmfa.museum/press/vmfa-restores-ownership-of-work-by-enslaved-artist-david-drake" data-vars-content-id="44a0107e-fc76-4478-98f7-cd99c73d6448" data-vars-headline="VMFA makes historic restitution of enslaved artist&#x27;s work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vmfa.museum/press/vmfa-restores-ownership-of-work-by-enslaved-artist-david-drake" target="_blank">announced</a> this week. Why it matters: David Drake couldn&#x27;t own or profit from the pottery he created while enslaved. Nearly two centuries later, VMFA is recognizing his descendants as the jug&#x27;s rightful owners — and paying them to reacquire it.

Henrico takes first crack at RVA's recreational weed rules

Henrico's first zoning proposal offers an early look at how local governments may shape the new market.

Henrico is laying out rules for where recreational marijuana businesses can operate ahead of next year&#x27;s launch of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia&#x27;s retail market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/21/virginia-marijuana-dispensaries-licenses-delivery-rules" data-vars-content-id="26594ed2-3206-4321-bbba-0f6d55bb14f5" data-vars-headline="Henrico takes first crack at RVA&#x27;s recreational weed rules" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/21/virginia-marijuana-dispensaries-licenses-delivery-rules" target="_self">Virginia&#x27;s retail market</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first RVA locality to release publicly plans for how it could regulate the coming market within its borders.

Richmond zoning rewrite gets mixed grades from housing groups

Housing advocates praise bigger ADUs but give the plan an F for citywide duplex access.

A coalition of housing nonprofits that has pushed for more density in Richmond&#x27;s Code Refresh zoning overhaul is urging City Council to pass the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/17/richmond-zoning-code-draft-three-duplexes-housing-corridors" data-vars-content-id="4f175da2-8f2a-46c0-97bc-c9821e3aa38a" data-vars-headline="Richmond zoning rewrite gets mixed grades from housing groups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/17/richmond-zoning-code-draft-three-duplexes-housing-corridors" target="_self">latest draft</a> without making it more restrictive.Why it matters: Homes for All Our Neighbors says Draft 3 is a big improvement over the city&#x27;s zoning rules — but still doesn&#x27;t go far enough to open single-family neighborhoods to more types of housing.

Richmond seniors turn to roommates as housing costs rise

Some older Richmonders are searching for rooms under $1,000 as housing costs squeeze both ends of the market.

In Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pricey housing market," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/28/richmond-housing-market-condos-prices-inventory-2026" data-vars-content-id="bc6ba29b-0443-400d-a7a1-5481b1ca22ca" data-vars-headline="Richmond seniors turn to roommates as housing costs rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/28/richmond-housing-market-condos-prices-inventory-2026" target="_self">pricey housing market,</a> some older adults are looking for a roommate to help make the math work.Why it matters: Home-sharing offers a partial solution to two problems: rising housing costs and the growing expense of aging in place.

Exclusive: Richmond has more empty apartments — and rising rents

Vacancies have climbed as new units opened, yet Richmond renters are still paying more than last year.

There are a lot of apartments sitting empty in metro Richmond, per new vacancy data the CoStar Group shared exclusively with Axios. Why it matters: Richmond has more apartments available after a record building boom, but that hasn&#x27;t solved the region&#x27;s housing crisis — especially for renters who can&#x27;t afford the new supply.

Report: Richmond renters save nearly $10K a year over buyers

Renting a Richmond starter home costs about $811 less each month than buying one.

Real Estate

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="still" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/04/09/richmond-rent-cheaper-buying-savings" data-vars-content-id="cca37cc5-3e2b-4a42-882c-e30f506c3811" data-vars-headline="Report: Richmond renters save nearly $10K a year over buyers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/04/09/richmond-rent-cheaper-buying-savings" target="_self">still</a> much cheaper to rent a starter home in RVA than it is to buy one, per a just-released <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/july-2026-rent/" data-vars-content-id="cca37cc5-3e2b-4a42-882c-e30f506c3811" data-vars-headline="Report: Richmond renters save nearly $10K a year over buyers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/july-2026-rent/" target="_blank">Realtor.com study</a>. Why it matters: If you&#x27;re stuck renting instead of owning, you could be saving thousands a year.

Richmond retreats on neighborhood density

The latest zoning draft limits most neighborhood lots to two units and shifts growth to major corridors.

The latest — and potentially final — draft of Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="zoning code rewrite" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/25/richmond-code-refresh-third-draft-duplexes-church-housing" data-vars-content-id="fcc06ae0-fe19-49f7-9dbd-f752eb4f32ee" data-vars-headline="Richmond retreats on neighborhood density" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/06/25/richmond-code-refresh-third-draft-duplexes-church-housing" target="_self">zoning code rewrite</a> backs away from allowing more density in largely single-family neighborhoods.<ul><li>The change came directly in response to residents&#x27; concerns, Mayor Danny Avula told reporters Monday. </li></ul>

Exclusive: Richmond leads Virginia in 2026 home sales growth

Sales rose as prices flattened, though homes under $350,000 remain scarce across the region.

Metro Richmond is seeing the strongest home sales growth among Virginia&#x27;s major metro areas at this year&#x27;s halfway mark. Why it matters: Richmond is showing that a hot housing market doesn&#x27;t always mean hotter home prices.

Richmond group pushes plan to prevent resident displacement

The four-part proposal includes zoning incentives, tax relief and a citywide housing database.

Business

Pro Code Refresh group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Homes for All Our Neighbors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/16/richmond-survey-shows-overwhelming-concern-over-housing-affordability" data-vars-content-id="c9e8b7c1-b516-4e3f-8c2d-2535299ada85" data-vars-headline="Richmond group pushes plan to prevent resident displacement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/16/richmond-survey-shows-overwhelming-concern-over-housing-affordability" target="_self">Homes for All Our Neighbors</a> is calling on City Hall to adopt new measures to help current Richmond residents stay in the city amid rising housing costs and a growing population. Why it matters: The group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="says" data-vars-click-url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ux-NgSBhTRQzcwALOD9JWcH_rnKilPv_/view" data-vars-content-id="c9e8b7c1-b516-4e3f-8c2d-2535299ada85" data-vars-headline="Richmond group pushes plan to prevent resident displacement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ux-NgSBhTRQzcwALOD9JWcH_rnKilPv_/view" target="_blank">says</a> its proposals for targeted &quot;displacement mitigation&quot; can help locals most at risk of being pushed out over housing costs.

Thomas Jefferson's boyhood home in Goochland lists for $17M

Tuckahoe includes 500 acres, a schoolhouse and a whole lot of history.

Thomas Jefferson&#x27;s boyhood home in Goochland County just hit the market. Why it matters: If you have $17 million lying around, it could be yours. Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Historic Tuckahoe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/historictuckahoe/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="09176828-8ba6-46e5-8971-03faeb31152e" data-vars-headline="Thomas Jefferson&#x27;s boyhood home in Goochland lists for $17M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/historictuckahoe/?hl=en" target="_blank">Historic Tuckahoe</a>, formerly Tuckahoe Plantation, was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="listed for sale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/frankhardysir/eng/sales/detail/773-l-4544-cd2zef/12601-river-rd-richmond-va-23238" data-vars-content-id="09176828-8ba6-46e5-8971-03faeb31152e" data-vars-headline="Thomas Jefferson&#x27;s boyhood home in Goochland lists for $17M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/frankhardysir/eng/sales/detail/773-l-4544-cd2zef/12601-river-rd-richmond-va-23238" target="_blank">listed for sale</a> on Monday.

Richmond's potato building gets the love it deserves

An architecture-loving creator spotlighted the quirky Markel Building and its baked potato inspiration.

Richmond&#x27;s baked potato-inspired office building is finally getting the love it deserves, thanks to a roving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="architecture-loving content creator." data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DadrEcutX2I/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="feefba92-8865-4318-bfe4-37b437f379b2" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s potato building gets the love it deserves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DadrEcutX2I/?hl=en" target="_blank">architecture-loving content creator.</a> Why it matters: Once maligned as one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;10 ugliest buildings in the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-markel-building-richmond-virginia" data-vars-content-id="feefba92-8865-4318-bfe4-37b437f379b2" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s potato building gets the love it deserves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-markel-building-richmond-virginia" target="_blank">&quot;10 ugliest buildings in the world</a>,&quot; The Markel Building is a local treasure and now at least one influencer seems to agree.

The 3 biggest debates left in Richmond's zoning rewrite

Officials are narrowing in on housing rules, church land use and household occupancy limits.

After two years of public meetings, proposals and feedback, Richmond&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive zoning code overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/10/richmond-zoning-code-refresh-debate-duplex-single-family-housing-density-2026" data-vars-content-id="a9c9fc7f-7e72-49c1-9d45-8f15b9d0270f" data-vars-headline="The 3 biggest debates left in Richmond&#x27;s zoning rewrite" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/10/richmond-zoning-code-refresh-debate-duplex-single-family-housing-density-2026" target="_self">massive zoning code overhaul</a> is entering its final stretch with the third (and hopefully final) draft expected next month. Why it matters: City leaders — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="and many locals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/10/richmond-affordable-housing-survey" data-vars-content-id="a9c9fc7f-7e72-49c1-9d45-8f15b9d0270f" data-vars-headline="The 3 biggest debates left in Richmond&#x27;s zoning rewrite" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/10/richmond-affordable-housing-survey" target="_self">and many locals</a> — seem to agree that Richmond needs more housing. What&#x27;s left to decide is how much new housing the city will allow and where.

Real Estate 🏠

Richmond zoning rewrite gets mixed grades from housing groups

Richmond seniors turn to roommates as housing costs rise

Exclusive: Richmond has more empty apartments — and rising rents

Report: Richmond renters save nearly $10K a year over buyers

Richmond retreats on neighborhood density