What makes virginia a commonwealth

Puerto Rico is also a commonwealth, but again in name only. Its legal status is a U. The three million people who live there are indeed American citizens, but they have no representation. They do not send anyone to Congress, they do not award electoral votes, they do not pay federal income taxes.

This November, Puerto Ricans voted for a referendum to make it the 51st state. But whether it becomes a state or not depends entirely on the U. If Congress votes for them to become states, this would result in several new seats in the House and four in the Senate.

It is, but as our guest Robinson Woodward-Burns noted, that has always been the case when adding states. For example, in when the Republican Party was facing a probable loss in the election, Congress simply created six new states and they got 12 Republican senators out of it. The Dakota territory, which was home to a large non-voting Native American population but only 20, potential citizens, became two states overnight.

For population, business and geography statistics for the Virginia and its localities go to U. Census Bureau Virginia QuickFacts.

For in-depth statistical information about Virginia, the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia has developed a definitive publication, now available online. Questions about Virginia. Was Virginia the site of the first Thanksgiving? What native tribes originally inhabited Virginia? What is the meaning of the name Virginia? Virginia state emblems, symbols, seal, animals, song, etc What is Virginia's state nickname?

The Commonwealth of Virginia will also sometimes use the term State in an official capacity. Much of the confusion surrounding the term commonwealth probably comes from the fact that a commonwealth has a different meaning when it's not applied to a state. Today, Commonwealth also means a political unit having local autonomy but voluntarily united with the United States. Americans who travel between the continental U. However, if you have a layover that stops in any other nation, you will be asked for a passport even if you do not leave the airport.

While residents of Puerto Rico are American citizens they have no voting representatives in Congress or the Senate. They are also not allowed to vote in the Presidential elections. While Puerto Ricans do not have to pay income tax they do pay many other taxes.

Which means that, like the residents of Washington D. Puerto Rico is also not eligible for federal budget money allocated to the States. There is much debate around whether Puerto Rico should become a state or not.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Virginia became one of the "united" states when the Constitution was ratified in The delegates endorsed the perspective of John Locke, as expressed in his Second Treatise on Government.

As used by Locke, the term "commonwealth" indicated that the legislature, elected by the people, was the dominant force in government.