WASHINGTON — QUESTION:
What would it take to impeach of expel Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam?
ANSWER:
A two-thirds majority vote from the Senate to impeach.
A declaration that the governor is not fit to hold office and three-fourths bicameral vote.
SOURCES:
Virginia Constitution Article IV Section 17
Virginia Constitution Article V Section 16
PROCESS:
Like an onion, more and more layers are peeling back on the blackface controversy surrounding Northam, whose been on the job for just over a year.
A rallying cry has gone out over social media: resign or face impeachment. The cry has carried across the political aisle.
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Northam has said he does not plan to resign, so what would it take to remove him?
Under Article IV Section 17 of Virginia's constitution, the governor must be under suspicion of "malfeasance in office, corruption, neglect of duty or other high crimes or misdemeanor."
Articles of impeachment are passed by the House and tried by the Senate, who would need a two-thirds to vote Northam out.
But there's another way, too.
Under Article V Section 16, someone like the Attorney General or House Speaker can write a letter to the House and Senate clerks saying the governor is unable to do his job effectively.
The governor has time to rebut, but if another written declaration is made, saying the governor can't do his job, then it goes up to a vote. A three-fourths vote in each chamber is needed to kick him out.
It's still unclear whether a photo from 30 years ago would be an impeachable offense.
If Northam was forced out, he would be the first governor impeached in Virginia. For now, he's holding out hope.