Government

As an independent city of Virginia (as opposed to an incorporated town within a county), Alexandria derives its governing authority from the Virginia General Assembly. In order to revise the power and structure of the city government, the city must request the General Assembly to amend the charter. The present charter was granted in 1950 and it has been amended in 1968, 1971, 1976, and 1982.
Alexandria adopted a council-manager form of government by way of referendum in 1921. This type of government empowers the elected City Council to pass legislation and appoint the City Manager. The City Manager is responsible for overseeing the city's administration.
The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government. The Mayor does not have the power to veto Council action. Council members traditionally choose the person receiving the most votes in the election to serve as Vice Mayor. In the absence or disability of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor performs the mayoral duties.

City Council^[23]

Position		Name	Party	First Election	District
	Mayor	Allison Silberberg	Democratic Party	2012	At-Large
	Vice Mayor	Justin Wilson	Democratic Party	2007–2009 2012	At-Large
	Member	John T. Chapman	Democratic Party	2012	At-Large
	Member	Timothy B. Lovain	Democratic Party	2006–2009 2012	At-Large
	Member	Redella S. "Del" Pepper	Democratic Party	1985	At-Large
	Member	Paul C. Smedberg	Democratic Party	2003	At-Large
	Member	Willie Bailey	Democratic Party	2015	At-Large

In 2008, the City of Alexandria had 78 standing local boards, commissions, and committees to advise the City Council on major issues affecting the community.^[24] All members are appointed by the City Council.
Alexandria is part of Virginia's 8th congressional district, represented by Democrat and Alexandria resident Don Beyer, elected in 2014.
The state's senior member of the United States Senate is Democrat Mark Warner, elected in 2008. The state's junior member of the United States Senate is Democrat Tim Kaine, elected in 2012.
The city operates a jail for pre-trial and short-term inmates. This jail is used to house pre-trial inmates in federal espionage cases.^[25]