8/24/2018 To Be a Virginian . 1 18 19 1 8/24/2018 Lee County is closer to Mountain Region – the capitals of 7 other 20 19 counties, 4 independent states than to Richmond: Columbus, cities Population: 557,000 Frankfort, Charleston, 7% of VA population Nashville, Raleigh, Columbia, and Atlanta. 21 Valley Region – 14 counties and 9 independent cities Population: 778,200 9% of VA population 22 Something Special about Highland County Location of “Dividing Waters” farm The origins of the Potomac and James Rivers are less than ¼ mile apart Virginia was “almost” an island. 2 8/24/2018 23 Northern Region – 10 counties and 6 independent cities Population: 2,803,000 34% of VA population 24 Coastal Region – (also known as Tidewater) – 19 counties and 9 independent cities Population: 1,627,900 42% of VA population 25 Maryland Northern Neck Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Peninsula Bay James River Southside 3 8/24/2018 26 And this area is called “The Eastern Shore” – and don’t you forget it! 27 Central Region – 35 counties and 11 independent cities Population: 1,600,000 20% of VA population 28 4 8/24/2018 Things to Understand about 29 Virginia Politics Virginia is a Commonwealth (as are Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky) Significant to the Virginians who declared independence in 1776 – probably looking at the “commonwealth” (no king) during the English Civil War of the 1640s – 1650s. No current significance Things to Understand about 30 Virginia Politics Voters do not register by political party Elections are held in odd-numbered years House of Delegates every 2 years State-wide offices—every 4 years (in the year AFTER a Presidential election) State Senate—every 4 years (in the year BEFORE a Presidential election) More Things to Understand 31 YEAR TURNOUT (% Voting of Total Registered) Voter 2008 74.0% turnout: 2009 40.4% Presidential 2010 44.01& Statewide and 2011 28.61% House of 2012 71.06% Delegates 2013 43.0% Mid-term federal 2014 41.6% 2015 29.1% State House and Senate 2016 72.05% 2017 47.6% 5 8/24/2018 32 More Things to Understand 33 about Virginia Politics “Right to Work” state More Things to Understand 34 about Virginia Politics “Dillon Rule” state Independent Cities “Pay as you go” history Impacted by gerrymandering No campaign finance limitations 6 8/24/2018 35 Virginia State Government Executive Branch: Governor 36 Position dates from 1776 First elected governor—Patrick Henry Last elected governor to serve in Williamsburg—Thomas Jefferson 37 Executive Branch: Governor Current governor: Ralph Northam (D) Elected in 2017 4-year term Term limited Ineligible to run in 2021 7 8/24/2018 Executive Branch (continued) 38 Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D) Elected at the same time, same term as the governor No term limits Power—preside over the Senate; cast tie-breaking vote Executive Branch (continued) 39 Attorney General Mark Herring (D) — elected 2013, reelected 2017 Elected at the same time, same term as the governor No term limits Function—to give legal advice to the state government 40 Executive Mansion (1813) 8 8/24/2018 The General Assembly 41 The official name of the State Legislature Dates from1619 Senate and a House of Delegates Meets annually, beginning in January, 60 days in even-numbered years (long session) 30 days in odd-numbered years (short session) Virginia State Capitol, 42 Richmond, VA Designed by Thomas Jefferson Dedicated in 1788 43 9 8/24/2018 House of Delegates 44 100 members. Annual salary--$17,640. ++ 45 D R 46 Pogge Mullin 10 8/24/2018 Senate of Virginia 47 40 members. Four year term Annual salary -- $18,000 ++ 48 49 R D 11 8/24/2018 50 51 52 Which court are you in? Depends on who wrote the law or regulation you violated. Derives from Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution 12 8/24/2018 53 Eastern District Western District Of Virginia – 54 Of Virginia – Alexandria, Abingdon Richmond, Big Stone Gap Norfolk Charlottesville Danville Harrisonburg Lynchburg Roanoke 13.