Virginia.
A constitution was adopted in 1716; another in 1830; the present in 1851.
Electors. White male citizens, having resided in the state two years, and in the county, city or town where they offer to vote, one year. Votes are given openly, or viva voce. Dumb persons only vote by ballot.
Legislature. Senate and house of delegates. Delegates, one hundred and fifty-two in number, are elected biennially, and apportioned among the several counties and election districts according to population. The senate consists of fifty members, elected in single districts for four years, one-half every two years. Apportionments are made every ten years. Delegates are eligible at the age of twenty-one years; senators at the age of twenty-five.
Quorum, a majority. Bills to become laws, do not require the governor's approval.
Executive. The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible for the next term. He must be thirty years of age, a native citizen of the United States, and have been a citizen of the state five years. A lieutenant-governor.
A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, are elected for two years in joint assembly; an attorney general is elected for four years by the people at every election for governor.
Judiciary. The state is divided into twenty-one judicial circuits, ten districts, and five sections, in each of which division, one judge is elected by the people; the circuit judges for eight years, the judges of the supreme court of appeals for twelve years. A circuit judge holds circuit courts in the several counties composing his district. The judges of the circuits constituting a section, and the judge of the supreme court of appeals for that section, hold district courts in such section. The supreme court of appeals consists of the five judges elected in the sections, and three of whom may hold a court. Judges may be removed by the legislature.
A county court is held monthly in each county, by not less than three, nor more than five justices of the peace, except when the law requires a greater number. Each county is divided into districts, in each of which four justices are elected for four years. The justices so elected choose one of their own body as presiding justice of the county court.
In each county are elected, a clerk of the county court and a surveyor, for six years; an attorney for four years; a sheriff for two years: and constables and overseers of the poor as may be prescribed by law.
Amendments. The constitution does not provide for its amendment. The last two constitutions were framed by conventions authorized by acts of the legislature, and ratified by the electors.
North Carolina.
This state adopted a constitution in 1776, which was amended in 1835.
Legislature. A senate and a house of commons, called the general assembly. The senate consists of fifty members, chosen biennially, in single districts, which are laid off in proportion to the average amount of taxes paid by the citizens during the five years preceding. Senators must have resided within their respective districts a year, and possess not less than three hundred acres of land. The house of commons is composed of one hundred and twenty members, chosen biennially, and apportioned among the counties, according to population, three-fifths of the slaves being added to the number of free persons. They must have resided a year in the counties they represent, and possess one hundred and twenty acres of land.
Bills passed by both houses become laws without being presented to the governor.
Executive. A governor is elected every two years, and is eligible only four years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age; must have been a resident of the state five years, and must have in the state a freehold of the value of £1,000. No lieutenant-governor.
There is a council of seven persons to advise the governor; a secretary of state, and a treasurer, all chosen by joint vote of the two houses at each session, for two years; and an attorney-general for four years, unless for certain reasons the term shall be altered.
Judiciary. A supreme court, superior courts, courts of admiralty, and justices' courts. The judges are appointed by the general assembly, and hold during good behavior. Justices of the peace, within their respective counties, are recommended to the governor by the representatives of the general assembly. They are commissioned by the governor, and hold during good behavior.
Electors. White freemen, inhabitants of the state one year, who have paid taxes. Voters for senators are required also to own a freehold of fifty acres.
Amendments. A convention may be called by a majority of two-thirds of all the members of each house of the general assembly. Or, amendments may be proposed by majorities of three-fifths of all the members of both houses; and they take effect when agreed to by two-thirds majorities of the whole representation in the next assembly, and ratified by the qualified voters of the state.