The 1776 Virginia Constitution confirmed our bicameral legislature which consists of the Senate of Virginia and the House of Delegates. The present state Constitution, adopted in 1970, provides that the Senate shall consist of 33 to 40 members and the House of Delegates shall consist of 90 to 100 members. All members of the General Assembly are elected by qualified voters within their respective Senate and House districts. The terms of office are four years for members of the Senate and two years for members of the House of Delegates. Members may not hold any other public office during their term of office.

The General Assembly is commonly referred to as a citizen legislature, a governing body made up primarily of citizens who have a full-time occupation besides being a legislator. The legislature meets annually, beginning on the second Wednesday in January, for 60 days in even-numbered years and for 30 days in odd-numbered years, with an option to extend annual Sessions for a maximum of 30 days. The Governor may call a Special Session when it is deemed necessary or advisable, and must do so when petitioned by two-thirds of the members of both houses. A Reconvened Session is held on the sixth Wednesday after adjournment of each Regular or Special Session for the purpose of considering the Governor’s recommendations and vetoed legislation.

The General Assembly’s chief responsibilities are to represent citizens in the formulation of public policy, enact laws of the Commonwealth, approve the budget, levy taxes, elect judges, and confirm appointments by the Governor.

Articles IV, V and VI of the Constitution of Virginia provide for three separate and distinct branches of state government:  Executive, Legislative and Judicial.    Article IV outlines the manner in which our legislature conducts business.  This includes the qualification of senators and delegates, the dates on which the Senate and House convene for session and the enactment of laws.  Article V outlines the qualifications and powers of the Governor of Virginia.  The judicial branch, including the qualification of judges and the manner in which they are appointed to the bench, is set forth in Article VI.

The Constitution also sets forth the election process for all statewide elected officials, legislators, members of local governing bodies and local constitutional officers in Article VII.  

The last significant revision to the Constitution of Virginia was approved by the voting public in 1971.  Minor changes, also known as amendments, have been adopted many times since then.  Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by either the General Assembly or a constitutional convention established by the General Assembly.  Article XII of the Constitution of Virginia sets forth the manner in which amendments to Virginia’s fundamental law are considered and adopted. 

The legislative branch is the Virginia General Assembly, a bi-cameral legislature consisting of the Senate of Virginia and the Virginia House of Delegates.  One hundred forty members of the General Assembly establish public policy through the enactment of legislation.  Other related agencies include Division of Legislative Automated Systems (DLAS), Capitol Police and the Division of Legislative Services (bill drafting).

The executive branch is tasked with implementing policy passed by the legislative branch.  This branch is led by three statewide elected officials: The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. 

The judicial branch consists of the lower courts, courts of appeal and the Supreme Court of Virginia.  This branch interprets the laws establishing policy.