Virginia Code Title 15.2. Counties, Cities and Towns § 15.2-1422. Electing a chairman and vice-chairman or a mayor and vice-mayor

Unless the presiding officer is elected by popular vote, every governing body, at its first meeting after taking office, shall elect one of its number as presiding officer.  Such officer shall be called “chairman,” “chairwoman,” “chair,” “chairperson,” or “chair-at-large,” in the presiding officer's discretion, if a member of a board of supervisors and “mayor” if a member of a city or town council.  Such member, if present, shall preside at the first meeting and all other meetings during the term for which so elected.  The governing body also shall elect a vice-chairman or vice-mayor, as the case may be, who shall preside at meetings in the absence of the chairman or mayor and may discharge any duty of the chairman or mayor during his absence or disability.  Chairmen and vice-chairmen and mayors and vice-mayors may be so elected to serve for terms corresponding with their terms as supervisors or councilmen or may be elected for such other period as determined by the governing body.  Whenever any board or council at the time of such election, fails to designate the specific term of office for which a chairman or vice-chairman or a mayor or vice-mayor is elected, it shall be presumed that such officers were elected for a term of one year and shall serve until their successors have been elected and qualify.  Chairmen and vice-chairmen and mayors and vice-mayors may succeed themselves in office.  In the case of the absence from any meeting of the chairman and vice-chairman or mayor and vice-mayor, the members present shall choose one of their number as temporary presiding officer.