This report is a result of the directive contained in House Joint Resolution No. 52, passed by the 1971 Special Session of the General Assembly.

Pursuant to the study directive, the following members of the Committees on Privileges and Elections of the Senate and the House of Delegates served as members of the Commission:

Honorable George E. Allen, Jr., Richmond; Senator George S. Aldhizer, II, Broadway; Honorable Claude W. Anderson, Buckingham; Senator Howard P. Anderson, Halifax; Senator Hunter B. Andrews, Hampton; Senator George F. Barnes, Tazewell; Senator Peter K. Babalas, Norfolk; Senator Adelard L. Brault, Fairfax; Senator H. Dunlop Dawbarn, Waynesboro; Honorable Walther B. Fidler, Warsaw; Honorable Jerry H. Geisler, Hillsville; Honorable John D. Gray, Hampton; Senator Omer L. Hirst, Annandale; Senator William B. Hopkins, Roanoke; Honorable Lewis A. McMurran, Jr., Newport News; Senator Paul W. Manns, Bowling Green; Honorable C. Hardaway Marks, Hopewell; Senator William F. Parkerson, Jr., Richmond; Honorable A. L. Philpott, Bassett; Honorable Lacey E. Putney, Bedford; Honorable Ford C. Quillen, Gate City; Senator William V. Rawlings, Capron; Honorable O. Beverly Roller, Weyers Cave; Honorable D. French Slaughter, Jr., Culpeper; Honorable James M. Thomson, Alexandria; Senator George M; Warren, Jr., Bristol; Honorable J. Warren White, Jr., Norfolk; Senator Lawrence Douglas Wilder, Richmond; Honorable Carrington Williams, Fairfax; and Senator Coleman B. Yeatts, Chatham. The membership of the Commission elected Honorable James M. Thomson as Chairman and Senator Omer L. Hirst as Vice-Chairman. J. Hooker, Esquire, of Richmond served as counsel for the Commission. It proved necessary for the Commission to have staff and advisers. Anthony Troy and Vann H. Lefcoe represented the Office of the Attorney General. Mrs. Joan S. Mahan represented the State Board of Elections.

The Virginia Advisory Legislative Council and the Division of Statutory Research and Drafting made staff and facilities available to carry out the study, Sally T. Warthen, succeeded by Roger W. Wiley and L. Willis Robertson, Jr. being assigned to assist the study group.