The
Virginia House of Delegates is one of two parts in the
Virginia General Assembly the other being the Senate of Virginia. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the
Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the House membership by the Delegates. The Speaker is almost always a member of the majority party and, as Speaker, becomes the most powerful member of the House. The House shares legislative power with the
Senate of Virginia, the
upper house of the
Virginia General Assembly. The House of Delegates is the modern-day successor to the
Virginia House of Burgesses, which first met at
Jamestown in 1619. The House is divided into
Democratic and
Republican caucuses. In addition to the Speaker, there is a
majority leader, majority caucus chair,
minority leader, minority caucus chair, and the chairs of the several committees of the House.