The bill proposes significant amendments to the West Virginia Code to reform the electoral process for judicial positions, including justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, circuit court judges, family court judges, and magistrates. It mandates that these positions be elected through partisan primary and general elections, replacing the previous nonpartisan system. Key changes include the introduction of partisan ballots for judicial elections, while maintaining separate nonpartisan ballots for county school board elections. The bill also clarifies the definitions of "general election campaign period" and "primary election campaign period," and modifies the entitlements of judicial candidates under the Public Campaign Financing Fund. Notably, it removes provisions that required nonpartisan elections and mandates that elections occur during general elections rather than primary elections.

Additionally, the bill outlines new procedures for candidates filing certificates of announcement for various political offices, specifying the filing period and requirements for personal and political affiliation information. It alters the order of offices on ballots by eliminating the "Nonpartisan Judicial Ballot" designation and ensuring that judicial offices are listed under the state ticket. The bill also addresses the filling of vacancies in state judicial offices by the Governor from a list of candidates provided by party executive committees. Furthermore, it abolishes the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Program and repeals related sections, aiming to streamline the election process while enhancing transparency and reducing partisanship in judicial elections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-1-16, 3-1-17, 3-4A-11a, 3-5-6a, 3-5-6b, 3-5-6c, 3-5-6d, 3-5-7, 3-5-13, 3-5-13a, 3-10-3, 3-12-3, 3-12-11, 3-12-12, 3-12-14, 50-1-1, 50-1-6, 51-1-1, 51-2A-5
Committee Substitute: 3-1-16, 3-1-17, 3-4A-11a, 3-5-4, 3-5-6a, 3-5-6b, 3-5-6c, 3-5-6d, 3-5-6e, 3-5-7, 3-5-13, 3-5-13a, 3-10-3, 3-12-3, 3-12-6, 3-12-10, 3-12-11, 3-12-12, 3-12-14, 50-1-1, 50-1-6, 51-1-1, 51-2A-5, 51-11-6
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 3-1-16, 3-1-17, 3-4A-11a, 3-5-4, 3-5-6a, 3-5-6b, 3-5-6c, 3-5-6d, 3-5-6e, 3-5-7, 3-5-13, 3-5-13a, 3-10-3, 3-12-3, 3-12-6, 3-12-10, 3-12-11, 3-12-12, 3-12-14, 50-1-1, 50-1-6, 51-1-1, 51-2A-5, 51-11-6