West Virginia Senate

The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.

Related Topics:
Upper house - West Virginia Legislature

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There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four year terms. The body is generally considered more conservative than the West Virginia House of Delegates. Democrats and Republicans are more evenly matched in the Senate. Women are underrepresented in the Senate.

Related Topics:
West Virginia House of Delegates - Democrats - Republicans

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The states districting system is unique in the United States. The state's most populous county, Kanawha County constitutes two "superimposed" districts. In practical effect this means that Kanawha County is a single district electing four members. The remaining 54 counties of the state are divided into 15 districts, with county lines not respected in most cases. Under the unique rule, no district may have more than one senator from the same county, no matter the population. This means, for example, that the 99% of the population of the sixth district residing in Cabell County can vie for only one senate seat, and the tiny portion of Wayne County in the district must have one senator. This, combined with the jerrymandering of the districts has contributed to what many observers have called the most unrepresentative districting system in the United States.

Related Topics:
Kanawha County - Cabell County - Wayne County - Jerrymandering

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