§ 24.2-508 Powers of political parties in general
Overview of Statute
This section lists the powers of political parties generally, including their power to call conventions and to provide for the nomination of their candidates for office.
Statute
Each political party shall have the power to (i) make its own rules and regulations, (ii) call conventions to proclaim a platform, ratify a nomination, or for any other purpose, (iii) provide for the nomination of its candidates, including the nomination of its candidates for office in case of any vacancy, (iv) provide for the nomination and election of its state, county, city, and district committees, and (v) perform all other functions inherent in political party organizations.
Code 1950, §§ 24-363, 24-364; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-172; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 119; 1973, c. 30; 1975, c. 515; 1978, c. 778; 1993, c. 641 .
- Cross-References:
- Ballot Access
- Candidate methods of nomination
1. Definition for Political party
An organization of citizens of the Commonwealth which, at either of the two preceding statewide general elections, received at least 10 percent of the total vote cast for any statewide office filled in that election. The organization shall have a state central committee and an office of elected state chairman which have been continually in existence for the six months preceding the filing of a nominee for any office.
See § 24.2-101.
2. Definition for Party
An organization of citizens of the Commonwealth which, at either of the two preceding statewide general elections, received at least 10 percent of the total vote cast for any statewide office filled in that election. The organization shall have a state central committee and an office of elected state chairman which have been continually in existence for the six months preceding the filing of a nominee for any office.
See § 24.2-101.
3. Definition for State
A state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
See § 24.2-452.
4. Definition for Election
A general, primary, or special election.
See § 24.2-101.
5. Definition for Candidate
A person who seeks or campaigns for an office of the Commonwealth or one of its governmental units in a general, primary, or special election and who is qualified to have his name placed on the ballot for the office. “Candidate” shall include a person who seeks the nomination of a political party or who, by reason of receiving the nomination of a political party for election to an office, is referred to as its nominee. For the purposes of Chapters 8 (§ 24.2-800 et seq.), 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.), and 9.5 (§ 24.2-955 et seq.), “candidate” shall include any write-in candidate. However, no write-in candidate who has received less than 15 percent of the votes cast for the office shall be eligible to initiate an election contest pursuant to Article 2 (§ 24.2-803 et seq.) of Chapter 8. For the purposes of Chapters 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) and 9.5 (§ 24.2-955 et seq.), “candidate” shall include any person who raises or spends funds in order to seek or campaign for an office of the Commonwealth, excluding federal offices, or one of its governmental units in a party nomination process or general, primary, or special election; and such person shall be considered a candidate until a final report is filed pursuant to Article 3 (§ 24.2-947 et seq.) of Chapter 9.3.
See § 24.2-101.
Cases
Virginia Cases
Case Name: Chichester v. Reamy
Citation: 160 S.E. 52
Year: 1931
Case URL: https://casetext.com/case/chichester-v-reamy
Case Summary: Holding that county committee of political party could not pass resolution rescinding previous resolution calling primary election.
Out-of-State Cases
Federal Cases
Case Name: Miller v. Brown
Citation: 465 F. Supp. 2d 584
Federal District Court: Eastern District of Virginia
Year: 2006
Case URL: https://www.ravellaw.com/opinions/999ac10fa567a3fb9a0e3725e21935f4
Case Summary: Holding that when a political party’s discretion was foreclosed by an incumbent’s selection of a forced open primary, the effect undermined the party’s right of free association.