The Republican Party of Virginia’s delegate selection to the Republican National Convention is underway. Here are the facts about the Party’s process to help answer any questions and clear up any misconceptions.

Virginia can send 49 delegates to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Under Party rules, all 49 delegates are bound proportionally by the results of Virginia’s March 1 primary.

On the first ballot, those delegates will cast:

Under Virginia GOP rules, it doesn’t matter whether a candidate has dropped out, suspended his or her campaign, or asked for his or her delegates to vote for another candidate. On the first ballot, delegates are bound to those votes.

Those delegates are chosen at a series of 11 conventions in each of Virginia’s 11 Congressional Districts, and at the Republican Party of Virginia Convention in Harrisonburg.

Congressional District Delegates
Each Congressional District chooses 3 Delegates, for a net total of 33. District Conventions are composed of Delegates elected from each of its cities and counties. Voting at the district convention is weighted by “voting strength.” Cities and counties that produce more GOP votes in Presidential and Gubernatorial races have more votes at the convention.

Those wishing to be delegates to the state and national conventions file an application with the Congressional District committee as describe in each district’s convention “call”, the formal document announcing the convention and relevant details, such as the date, time, location, and filing requirements. Each District Convention has its own procedures within limits set by the Republican Party of Virginia’s Plan of Organization, better known as the “Party Plan.”

District Convention Dates and Filing Deadlines for Delegate candidates are as follows (in chronological order):

Just as with the Congressional District conventions, the call for the state convention includes an application for those who wish to run for the 13 available Delegate positions, with a filing deadline of March 1.

The Party’s Nominations Committee, made up of representatives from all 11 Congressional Districts, will publish a proposed list of Delegates to be elected, which the Convention as a whole will either approve or disapprove. If the convention does not adopt the nominating committee’s recommendation, it may elect another list of delegates.

Automatic Delegates
Virginia’s final 3 delegates are Virginia’s sitting members of the Republican National Committee – the Chairman, National Committeeman, and National Committeewoman. All three are bound on the first ballot, just like all other delegates.

Additional Voting Rounds

If the Republican National Convention in Cleveland does not nominate a candidate on the first ballot, Virginia’s 49 delegates are unbound and may vote for the candidate of their choice.

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2016 RPV Convention Order of Events

April 29-30 |  JMU University  |  Harrisonburg, VA

Friday, April 29 2016

12:00 – 5:00pm Convention Registration Opens
JMU Convocation Center 895 University Boulevard Harrisonburg, VA 22807 *Photo ID required Convention Delegates & Paid Guests

12:00 – 2:00 pm State Central Committee Meeting
Blue Ridge Events Center Next to Ramada Inn – Harrisonburg 1 Pleasant Valley Road, Harrisonburg *11:30 check in, meeting starts promptly at 12:00

2:30 pm Convention Opens
Business: election of the permanent convention officers and adoption of rules JMU Convocation Center 895 University Boulevard Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Convention Delegates & Paid Guests

5:00 – 7:00 pm Happy Hour Hospitality Suites
Highland Rm | Festival Conference & Student Center 1301 Carrier Drive Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Paid Convention Delegates & Paid Guests Invited to Attend

7:00 – 9:00 pm Convention Welcome Reception
Festival Ballroom | Festival Conference & Student Center 1301 Carrier Drive Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Separate ticket required

Saturday, April 30 2016

8:00 am Convention Registration Opens
James Madison University Convocation Center 895 University Boulevard Harrisonburg, VA 22807 *Photo ID required Convention Delegates & Paid Guests

9:00 – 10:15 am Convention Breakfast
Duke Clubroom - JMU Convocation Center 895 University Boulevard Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Separate ticket required

10:30 am Convention Opens
JMU Convocation Center 895 University Boulevard Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Convention Delegates & Paid Guests

1:30 pm Convention Voting Begins
JMU Convocation Center 895 University Boulevard Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Convention Delegates