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2 INAUGURATION
T
he inauguration of a new Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, and Attorney General is held on the
first Saturday after the General Assembly Session
begins in January of the year following the statewide
election.
The inaugural activities on that day are prescribed by
statute and tradition but also allow for some special
requests by the Governor-elect. Until 1982, the swearing-
in ceremony and parade reviewing stands were located
on the South Portico of the Capitol Building. The
ceremony was moved to the north side of the building
in 1982 where more space was available for reviewing
stands and spectators. Since that time, the Governor-
elect has chosen whether to use the South Portico or
north side of the Capitol for the ceremony. On one
occasion, to allow more seating for the swearing-in
ceremony, the swearing-in took place on the South
Portico and the parade was reviewed on the north side
of the building.
The Commonwealth Inaugural Committee appointed by
the Governor-elect, Lieutenant Governor-elect, and
Attorney General-elect is charged with planning the
inaugural day activities. This includes: (1) developing and
issuing the invitations and the programs, (2) choosing
the participants in the parade, (3) developing a budget
within the appropriation provided by the House of
Delegates, (4) managing the guest lists for the activities
of the day and evening, and (5) coordinating with state
officials throughout the process.
Many executive, legislative, and judicial staff assist the
staff of the Commonwealth Inaugural Committee to
plan and execute inaugural activities.
• The House of Delegates and Senate appoint members
just prior to the inauguration to serve on a Ceremonial
Inaugural Committee to escort the incoming officials
and their families to and during the day’s activities.
• The Department of General Services installs the
Official Party reviewing platform and stands for the
public and news media, secures and sets up the
sound system, provides sanitary facilities, and
coordinates parking. They prepare the Governor’s
Office for the new Governor and his staff beginning
at noon on the day of the inauguration to be ready
for use the following day. They move the outgoing
Governor and his family from the Executive Mansion
and move the incoming Governor and his family into
the Executive Mansion over that weekend.
• At the request of the Commonwealth Inaugural
Committee, the Department of Military Affairs arranges
for placement and firing of the cannon to honor the
newly sworn in Governor with a 19-gun salute. It is
traditional that the casing of the first shot fired be
presented to the Governor. They also provide the jet
flyby, if one is scheduled.
• Since the Speaker of the House of Delegates presides
over the swearing-in ceremony, the Clerk of the
House provides valuable information on the
procedures, the finances, the traditions, and the many
details of the day’s activities.
• The Capitol Police provide security for the day’s
activities within the Capitol building and Capitol
Square and transportation for members of the General
Assembly, when requested.
• The Virginia State Police provide security for the
dignitaries and the general areas surrounding the
Capitol Square as well as transportation for the
principals where needed.
The schedule of activities on the day of Inauguration
may vary somewhat. Some incoming officials have
requested a service at a downtown church. Some have
had a Prayer Breakfast or an early morning reception
for General Assembly members and invited guests. No
matter what activity is chosen, the public swearing-in
ceremony traditionally begins at 12 noon. Participants
gather in different parts of the Capitol to organize for
their entry onto the inaugural platform.
• The Ceremonial Inaugural Committee, dressed in
formal attire, assembles in a House Room. The
Committee proceeds by motorcade to where the
Governor-elect, the Lieutenant Governor-elect, and the
Attorney General-elect and their families have gathered
and escorts them to the Capitol.
• Distinguished guests gather in the Old House Chamber.
• The members of the House and the Senate meet in
their respective chambers and then the Senate joins
the House of Delegates to convene a joint session in
the House Chamber.
• The outgoing state officials and their family members
assemble in the Old Senate Chamber.
• The incoming state officials, dressed in formal attire,
and their families gather in a House Room and then
move to the Old Senate Chamber.