The legiflature fhall confift of two branches, the one to be called the Houfe of Delegates, the other the Senate, and both together the General Affembly. The concurrence of both of thefe, expreifed on [ 4o6 ] three feveral readings, fhall be neceflary to the palFage of a law.
Delegates for the general aflembly fhall be cholen on the laft Monday of Novem- ber in every year. But if an eleftion can- not be concluded on that day, it may be adjourned from day to day till it can be concluded.
The number of delegates which each county may fend fhall be in proportion to the number of its qualified eleftors; and the whole number of delegates for the ftate fhall be fo proportioned to the whole number of quahfied eledors in it, that they fhall never exceed 300, nor be fewer than 100. Whenever fuch excefs or deficiency fhall take place, the Houfe of Delegates fo deficient or exceffive fhall, notwithftanding this, continue in being during its legal term : but they fliall, during that term, re-adjuft the proportion, fo as to bring their number within the limits before men- tioned at the enfuing eleftion. If any [ 4^7 ] county be reduced in its qualified eledlors below the number authorifed to fend one delegate, let it be annexed to fome adjoining county.
For the eleftion of fenators, let the fe- veral counties be allotted by the fenate, from time to time, into fuch and fo many diftridls as they (hall find beft ; and let each county at the time of eledling its de- legates, choofe fenatorial eleftors, qualified as themfelves are, and four in number for each delegate their county is entitled to fend, who Ihall convene, and condudl them- felves, in fuch manner as the legiflature Ihall direcS, with the fenatorial eledlors from the other counties of their diflrift, and then choofe, by ballot, one fenator for every fix delegates which their diftridl is entitled to choofe. Let the fenatorial dif- trifts be divided into two claffes, and let the members elected for one of them be diffolved at the firft enfuing general election of delegates, the other at the next, and fo on alternately for ever.