After the votes have been cast for the State gubernatorial (Governor) candidates, the returns of the election are usually sent, under seal, to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. He delivers the returns to the Speaker of the House of Delegates on the first day of the next session of the General Assembly. Within three days, the Speaker of the House of Delegates must open the returns in the presence of a majority of the Senate and of the House of Delegates. Then the votes are counted. The person who receives the highest number of votes is declared elected. If there is a tie, however, the two houses of the General Assembly jointly vote for the Governor.
In order to be eligible for the governorship, a candidate must have three qualifications: (1) he must be a United States citizen (if not a native-born citizen, he must have been naturalized for at least ten years preceding his election), (2) he must be at least thirty years of age and (3) he must have been a resident in the State of Virginia for at least five years directly preceding his election.
The Governor must live in the city of Richmond, the capital of Virginia, during his term of office. He resides at the Executive Mansion and receives at the present time a salary of $20,000 per year. Such compensation cannot be increased or diminished during his term of office. He cannot receive any other emolument (money) while in office from the state government or from any other government and he cannot hold any other position while he is Governor of the State.
The chief duty or power of the Governor is to faithfully administer or execute the laws. Other powers include:
(1) reporting to each session of the General Assembly the condition of the State in a message known as the "Governor's Message"
(2) recommending to the General Assembly for consideration measures which he believes are beneficial to the State
(3) convening the General Assembly whenever two-thirds of the members of both houses request it
(4) convening the General Assembly into special session whenever, in his opinion, the interest of the State requires it
(5) acting as the commander-in-chief of the State land and naval forces
(6) calling out the State militia or State Police whenever necessary to repel invasion, suppress insurrection and enforce the execution of the laws