The first Constitution of 1776 created the office of governor, to be elected annually by the Virginia State Legislature.
[2] This constitution also prevented governors from succeeding themselves, a prohibition that exists to the present day.
[3] The 1851 Constitution increased terms to four years[4] and made the office elected by the people, rather than the legislature.
[9] Prior to that a Council of State existed; it chose from among its members a president who would be "lieutenant-governor" and would act as governor when there was a vacancy in that office.
[13] Following the end of the American Civil War, Virginia during Reconstruction constituted the First Military District, which exerted some control over governor appointments and elections.