Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan, also known as the Large-State Plan, is the ideology of the Virginia Plan proposed by the large states (like Virginia) during the Constitutional Convention. It called for a bicameral legislative branch where the representatives who go to the first house are elected by the people. The representation of a state is either apportioned according to the "quotas of contribution" (a state's wealth as reflected in the taxes it paid) or the state's non-slave population. Members of the first house would be subject to rotation.

Members of the second house are nominated by the members of the state governments and elected by the first house. The second house can veto any act passed by the state legislatures.

Amending the Constitution does not require the assent of the national legislature, but there is a procedure for amending the Constitution.

The national legislature would choose a national executive to serve one term. He has the power to declare war/treaties and the general authority to execute the national laws.

Judges in the Supreme Court serve for life. The executive, together with the judges would form a "council of revision" with the power to veto any act of the state or national legislatures. This veto could be overturned by a specified number of votes from the national legislatures.

There must be a procedure for the admission of states into the Union. The national government ensures republican democracy in every state. All officers of the state would say an oath to support the Constitution.