Virginia state legislative districts
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List of state legislative districts |
There are 140 seats in the Virginia General Assembly. All 100 seats of the Virginia House of Delegates are up for election every two years, and all 40 seats of the Virginia State Senate are up for election every four years.
Chambers
Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:
Senate
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. It is composed of 40 senators and is presided over by the lieutenant governor of Virginia. Prior to American independence, the other part of government was represented by the Governor's Council, an upper house made up of executive counselors appointed by the governor as advisers.
As of the 2020 Census, Virginia state senators represented an average of 216,364 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 200,943 residents.
Qualifications
In order to serve in the Virginia General Assembly, candidates must meet the following qualifications:[1]
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Be at least twenty-one years of age on or before the date of the general or special election for the office sought
- Be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the year immediately preceding the election
- Be a resident of the district they are seeking to represent
- Be a qualified voter in the district they are seeking to represent
- Not have been convicted of a felony (unless voting rights have been officially restored)
- Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent (unless voting rights have been officially restored)
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Virginia General Assembly, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. If the vacancy occurs while the legislature is in session, the presiding officer of the house in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election. If the vacancy occurs while the legislature is in recess, the governor shall call the special election. Within 30 days of a vacancy, the appropriate officeholder shall issue a writ of election. If an vacancy occurs between December 10 and March 1, the writ must declare the special election date be within 30 days of said vacancy. All special elections must be held promptly. However, no special election can be held if it occurs less than 55 days before any statewide primary or general election or if there are fewer than 75 days remaining in the vacated term.[2][3]
See sources: Virginia Code § 24.2-216
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $18,000/year for senators. $17,640/year for delegates. | $213/day |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Virginia State Senate.
House
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years. Unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years.
As of the 2020 Census, Virginia state representatives represented an average of 86,545 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 80,377 residents.
Qualifications
In order to serve in the Virginia General Assembly, candidates must meet the following qualifications:[5]
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Be at least twenty-one years of age on or before the date of the general or special election for the office sought
- Be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the year immediately preceding the election
- Be a resident of the district they are seeking to represent
- Be a qualified voter in the district they are seeking to represent
- Not have been convicted of a felony (unless voting rights have been officially restored)
- Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent (unless voting rights have been officially restored)
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Virginia General Assembly, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. If the vacancy occurs while the legislature is in session, the presiding officer of the house in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election. If the vacancy occurs while the legislature is in recess, the governor shall call the special election. Within 30 days of a vacancy, the appropriate officeholder shall issue a writ of election. If an vacancy occurs between December 10 and March 1, the writ must declare the special election date be within 30 days of said vacancy. All special elections must be held promptly. However, no special election can be held if it occurs less than 55 days before any statewide primary or general election or if there are fewer than 75 days remaining in the vacated term.[6][7]
See sources: Virginia Code § 24.2-216
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[8] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $18,000/year for senators. $17,640/year for delegates. | $213/day |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Redistricting
On November 3, 2020, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing a commission-driven congressional and state legislative redistricting process. The 16-member commission comprises eight legislators and eight non-legislator members. Leaders of the legislature's two largest political parties select legislators to serve on the commission. The commission's eight citizen members are recommended by legislative leaders and selected by a committee of five retired circuit court judges. The commissioners themselves select one of the eight citizens to serve as chairperson.[9]
District maps are subject to the following consensus requirements:[9]
- Congressional maps: Approval by 12 commissioners, including six legislators and six non-legislators.
- Virginia State Senate: Approval by 12 commissioners, including six legislators (with three state senators) and six non-legislators.
- Virginia House of Delegates: Approval by 12 commissioners, including six legislators (with three state delegates) and six non-legislators.
The commission submits its maps to the General Assembly, which can vote to approve the maps or reject them. The General Assembly cannot amend the maps. If the General Assembly rejects a map, the commission must draft a second map. If the General Assembly rejects that map, the Virginia Supreme Court is tasked with enacting a new map.[9][10]
The Virginia Supreme Court unanimously approved district maps for the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia State Senate on December 28, 2021.[11] Democratic and Republican consultants submitted statewide map proposals for consideration to the Virginia Redistricting Commission on September 18, 2021.[12] The commission had reviewed earlier maps on August 31, 2021, that were focused solely on suburbs in northern Virginia that were drawn from scratch and did not consider legislative incumbents’ home addresses in keeping with earlier commission decisions.[13][14] After the commission missed its deadline for approving map proposals and the Virginia Supreme Court assumed authority over the process, the two special masters selected by the court released proposals for House and Senate districts on December 8, 2021.[15]These maps took effect for Virginia's 2023 legislative elections.
Senate elections
Virginia state senators serve four-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. Virginia is one of only four states to hold elections during odd years.
2027
- See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2027
Elections for the Virginia State Senate will take place in 2027. The general election is on November 2, 2027.
2023
- See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2023
Elections for the Virginia State Senate took place in 2023. The general election was on November 7, 2023. A primary was held on June 20, 2023. The filing deadline was April 6, 2023.
2019
- See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2019
Elections for the Virginia State Senate took place in 2019. The primary was on June 11, 2019, and the general election was on November 5. The filing deadline for candidates was March 28, 2019.
| Virginia State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2019 | After November 6, 2019 | |
| Democratic Party | 19 | 21 | |
| Republican Party | 20 | 19 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 40 | 40 | |
2015
- See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2015
Elections for the Virginia State Senate took place in 2015. A primary election was held on June 9, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 26, 2015.[16]
Heading into the election, Republicans held a 21-19 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
| Virginia State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2015 | After November 3, 2015 | |
| Democratic Party | 19 | 19 | |
| Republican Party | 21 | 21 | |
| Total | 40 | 40 | |
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2011
Elections for the office of Virginia State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 23, 2011, and a general election on November 8, 2011. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 22-18 majority. Democrats lost two seats in the election, leaving the chamber with a 20-20 tie.
During the 2011 election, the total of all contributions to Senate candidates was $33,496,669. The top 10 contributors were:[17]
2007
Elections for the office of Virginia State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 12, 2007, and a general election on November 6, 2007. During the 2007 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $31,534,141. The top 10 contributors were:[18]
2003
Elections for the office of Virginia State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 10, 2003, and a general election on November 4, 2003. During the 2003 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $11,439,328. The top 10 contributors were:[19]
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House elections
Virginia state delegates serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Virginia holds elections for its legislature in odd years.
2027
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates will take place in 2027. The general election is on November 2, 2027.
2025
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates will take place in 2025. The general election is on November 4, 2025. The primary was June 17, 2025. The filing deadline was April 3, 2025.
2023
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2023. The general election was on November 7, 2023. A primary was held on June 20, 2023. The filing deadline was April 6, 2023.
| Virginia House of Delegates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2023 | After November 8, 2023 | |
| Democratic Party | 46 | 51 | |
| Republican Party | 48 | 49 | |
| Vacancy | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
2021
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2021. The primary was on June 8, 2021, and the general election was on November 2. Party committees could also choose to hold conventions instead of primaries. Those conventions were held throughout the spring of 2021. The filing deadline for primary candidates was March 25, 2021.[20]
| Virginia House of Delegates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 2, 2021 | After November 3, 2021 | |
| Democratic Party | 55 | 48 | |
| Republican Party | 45 | 52 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
2019
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2019. The primary was on June 11, 2019, and the general election was on November 5. The filing deadline for candidates was March 28, 2019.
| Virginia House of Delegates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2019 | After November 6, 2019 | |
| Democratic Party | 49 | 55 | |
| Republican Party | 51 | 45 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
2017
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2017. All 100 house seats were up for election. The general election took place on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on June 13, 2017. The filing deadline for primary election candidates was March 30, 2017. The filing deadline for non-party candidates and candidates nominated by methods other than a primary was June 13, 2017.[21]
| Virginia House of Delegates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Before November 7, 2017 | After November 7, 2017 | |
| Democratic Party | 34 | 49 | |
| Republican Party | 66 | 51 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
2015
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2015. A primary election was held on June 9, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 26, 2015.[22]
Heading into the election, Republicans held a 67-33 majority. Republicans lost one seat in the election, giving them a 66-34 majority.
| Virginia House of Delegates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2015 | After November 3, 2015 | |
| Democratic Party | 33 | 34 | |
| Republican Party | 67 | 66 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
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2013Elections for the office of Virginia House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on June 11, 2013, and a general election, which took place on November 5, 2013. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 65-32 majority with one independent member and two vacancies. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 67-33 majority.
2011Elections for the office of Virginia House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on August 23, 2011, and a general election on November 8, 2011. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 58-39 majority with two independent members and one vacancy. Republicans gained nine seats in the election, giving them a 67-32 majority with one independent member.
During the 2011 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $25,013,110. The top 10 contributors were:[23]
2009Elections for the office of Virginia House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on June 9, 2009, and a general election on November 3, 2009. During the 2009 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $35,947,346. The top 10 contributors were:[24]
2007Elections for the office of Virginia House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on June 12, 2007, and a general election on November 6, 2007. During the 2007 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $32,931,206. The top 10 contributors were:[25]
2005Elections for the office of Virginia House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on June 14, 2005, and a general election on November 8, 2005. During the 2005 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $25,340,303. The top 10 contributors were:[26]
2003Elections for the office of Virginia House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on June 10, 2003, and a general election on November 4, 2003. During the 2003 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $13,103,722. The top 10 contributors were:[27]
2001Elections for the office of Virginia House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on June 12, 2001, and a general election on November 6, 2001. During the 2001 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $13,681,547. The top 10 contributors were:[28]
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District maps
State Senate
State House
See also
- State legislature
- Virginia State Legislature
- Virginia State Senate
- Virginia House of Delegates
- List of Virginia state legislative elections
Footnotes
- ↑ Virginia General Assembly, "Certificate of Candidate Qualification," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ Virginia Law Library, "§ 24.2-216. Filling vacancies in the General Assembly," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 24.2-216, Virginia Code)
- ↑ Virginia Law Library, "§ 24.2-682. Times for special elections," accessed February 16, 2021
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Virginia General Assembly, "Certificate of Candidate Qualification," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ Virginia Law Library, "§ 24.2-216. Filling vacancies in the General Assembly," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 24.2-216, Virginia Code)
- ↑ Virginia Law Library, "§ 24.2-682. Times for special elections," accessed February 16, 2021
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Virginia's Legislative Information System, "HJ 615 Constitutional amendment; Virginia Redistricting Commission (first reference)," accessed November 18, 2020
- ↑ All About Redistricting, "Virginia," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ 13News Now, "Virginia has new voting maps after redistricting process finishes," December 30, 2021
- ↑ ABC 7, "Virginia bipartisan redistricting panel starts off with partisan maps," September 20, 2021
- ↑ El Paso Inc., "First redistricting map drafts leave some lawmakers unhappy," September 2, 2021
- ↑ Virginia Mercury, "Virginia’s Redistricting Commission has its first draft maps. They look… normal?" September 2, 2021
- ↑ Associated Press, "Proposed congressional maps give Dems an edge in Virginia," December 9, 2021
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia 2011 Candidates," accessed August 5, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia 2007 Candidates," accessed August 5, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia 2003 Candidates," accessed August 5, 2013
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "Calendars & Schedules," accessed February 6, 2021
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "Candidacy Requirements for the November 7, 2017 General Election," accessed March 21, 2017
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia 2011 Candidates," accessed August 5, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia 2009 Candidates," accessed August 5, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia 2007 Candidates," accessed August 5, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia 2005 Candidates," accessed August 5, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia 2003 Candidates," accessed August 5, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia 2001 Candidates," accessed August 5, 2013
