House of Delegates
About the House
The West Virginia House of Delegates consists 100 women and men from 100 single-member districts. Each member is elected for a two-year term. The West Virginia Legislature convenes for 60 days, beginning on the second Wednesday. The only exception to this is the first session after a Governor’s election year, in which the Legislature convenes and recesses until the second Wednesday of February for 60 days.
The West Virginia Legislature is a part-time legislature, which means in addition to their service at the legislator, members work within their communities as teachers, business owners, nurses, doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, school bus drivers, engineers, farmers, stay-at-home parents, and more.
Leadership
On the first day of a new Legislature (every two years), the House elects a new Speaker of the House.
The authority of the Speaker includes the oversight and management of all legislative activities within the House of Delegates. In addition to duties as the presiding officer of the House, the Speaker is the third ranking constitutional officer and is second in line of succession to the office of Governor. Speaker Roger Hanshaw has served in this compacity since 2018.
Other House leadership roles include Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Majority Whip, Speaker Pro Tempore, Deputy Speaker, Deputy Majority Whip, Assistant Majority Whip, Minority Whip, and Minority Leader Pro Tempore.
In addition to the Speaker, the House elects the Clerk of the House, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Doorkeeper.
Qualifications
To become a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, one must be:
- a citizen of the United States,
- eligible to vote, and
- a resident of district for 1 year prior to election.