The bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia to require that municipal elections be held on the same day as statewide elections. Specifically, it mandates that municipalities must either amend their existing ordinances or charters or adopt new ones to ensure that municipal elections coincide with statewide primary or general elections. The bill establishes a deadline of July 1, 2032, for municipalities to comply with these requirements. Additionally, it outlines the responsibilities of municipal governing bodies in relation to election administration and the sharing of administrative costs with county commissions.

Key changes in the bill include the insertion of language that specifies municipal elections shall be held concurrently with statewide elections, and municipalities must amend their charters to align with this requirement. The bill also clarifies the composition of election boards and the age requirements for election official trainees. Furthermore, it emphasizes that municipalities are required to share in the administrative costs of elections, ensuring that these costs do not exceed their proportional share based on registered voters. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the election process and enhance voter participation by synchronizing local and statewide elections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-1-29, 3-1-31
Committee Substitute: 3-1-29, 3-1-31, 8-5-5
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 3-1-29, 3-1-31, 8-5-5