Virginia Atate Legislature in 1776

[Keith Broaders]

The state senators represented counties in Virginia in 1776, but they were elected through a district system rather than one senator per individual county. 

According to the Constitution of Virginia adopted on June 29, 1776, the structure for electing senators was as follows:

• Districts, Not Single Counties: The state was divided into 24 senatorial districts.
• Method of Election: Qualified voters in each county within a district voted for a senator, and the sheriffs of those counties met to return the candidate with the highest total votes for that district.
• Composition: The Senate consisted of 24 members total.
• Representation vs. House of Delegates: While Senators represented districts composed of multiple counties, the House of Delegates—the other branch of the new General Assembly—consisted of two representatives directly from each county. 

This system was designed to create a more stable, upper house compared to the House of Delegates, while still ensuring that every county had a voice in the selection of the senator for their district. 

[Keith Broaders]

Based on the tax lists and records from 1782–1785, there were approximately 70 to 75 counties in Virginia in 1785. 

Each County had 2 representatives and each of 24 Disricts whcih consisted of multipke countis  had a single delegate representing multiple counties counties..

If this model was still being used  in Florida Miami Dade County and every one of the 67 counties in Florida would have 2 representatives.

[Keith Broaders]

These are results for virginia's 24 senatorial district in 1785


In 1785, the Virginia State Senate consisted of 24 senatorial districts created by the state constitution to represent the 64 counties. These districts were established to ensure 25% of the senate seats were up for election annually, with senators serving four-year term