Wednesday 15 February - Tuesday 1 May 2012: Local Mass Meetings, Party Canvasses, and Conventions:

The election of the actual National Convention delegates (who will be formally pledged according to the results of the Virginia Republican Primary) begins with local meetings held in each independent city and county of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The State Party Plan requires each independent city and county Republican Party to hold a Mass Meeting, Party Canvass or Convention to select delegates to the congressional district conventions and state convention and to elect local Party officials.

Virgina does not register voters by party. Voters selecting the Republican Presidential primary ballot must sign this loyalty oath: "I pledge that I intend to support the nominee of the of the Republican Party for president." [Code of Virginia Section 24.2-545] [The loyality oath requirement was removed on 17 January 2012 -Ed]

Tuesday 6 March 2012: 46 of 49 of Virginia's delegates to the Republican National Convention are pledged to presidential contenders in today's Virginia Presidential Primary.

• 33 district delegates are to be bound to presidential contenders based on the primary results in each of the 11 congressional districts: each congressional district is assigned 3 National Convention delegates and the presidential contender receiving the greatest number of votes in that district will receive all 3 of that district's National Convention delegates.
• 13 at-large delegates (10 base at-large delegates plus 3 bonus delegates) are to be bound to presidential contenders based on the primary results statewide. Compute percentages to 3 decimal places, that is, 50.000%. The delegates are allocated to the presidential contenders as follows:
• If a candidate receives 50.001% or more of the vote, that candidate is allocated all 13 at-large delegates.
• If no candidate receives 50.001% or more of the vote, the 13 at-large delegates are allocated proportionally among those candidates receiving 15.000% or more of the vote. Rounding rules: Beginning with the candidate receiving the largest number of votes, round the fraction to the next whole number of delegates. Continue this process with the next highest vote getter and repeat until all the delegates are allocated.

Friday 11 May - Saturday 26 May 2012 (tentative): Congressional District Conventions.

Following the local elections, each of the 11 Congressional Districts will hold a convention and elect three Delegates to the Republican National Convention (who will be pledged according to the results of the Virginia Republican Primary).

• The district convention also nominates a Presidential Elector who would represent the district in the Electoral College if the Republican Presidential nominee carries Virginia on Tuesday 6 November 2012. Only duly elected Delegates representing the independent cities and counties of the congressional district may vote at the congressional district convention.

Saturday 16 June 2012: The State Convention convenes in Richmond.

13 At-Large National Convention Delegates (all of whom are bound according to the results of the Virginia Republican Primary) are elected at the State Convention.

All Congressional and At-Large National Convention delegates to are bound for the first ballot at the Republican National Convention unless he/she has publicly withdrawn or has released his/her delegates.

The State Convention chooses 3 party leader delegates (a State Party Chairman is elected; and a National Committeeman and a National Committeewoman are nominated) all of whom will attend the convention as unpledged delegates by virtue of their position.

• The State Convention nominates two At-Large Presidential Electors to serve in the Electoral College if the Republican Presidential nominee carries Virginia on Tuesday 6 November 2012. Only duly elected Delegates representing the each of the independent cities and counties in Virginia may vote at the State Convention.

Notes:

On 10 January 2011, Virginia Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan (Democratic) introduced HB 1667 Presidential primaries. The Bill moves the presidential primary date from the 2nd Tuesday in February to the 1st Tuesday in March and retains the 1st Tuesday in March as the primary date before the May general election. The bill also reduces the petition requirement for presidential candidates from 10,000 to 5,000 signatures.
4 February 2011: House: Incorporated by Privileges and Elections (HB1843-Cole) by voice vote.

On 11 January 2011, Virginia Delegate Mark L. Cole (Republican) introduced HB 1843. The Bill moves the presidential primary date from the 2nd Tuesday in February to the 1st Tuesday in March. The bill retains the first Tuesday in March as the primary date before the May general election. The Senate version of the bill is SB 1246.
8 February 2011: Passed state House in a block vote (99-Y 0-N).
18 February 2011: Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N).
25 March 2011: Approved by Governor-Chapter 570. Effective 1 July 2011.

On 12 January 2011, Virginia Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel (Republican) introduced SB1246 Presidential primary. The Bill Moves the presidential primary date from the second Tuesday in February to the first Tuesday in March. The bill retains the first Tuesday in March as the primary date before the May general election.