The bill proposes significant electoral reforms for the judiciary in West Virginia, shifting from a nonpartisan election system to a partisan one for justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, circuit court judges, family court judges, and magistrates. Key changes include the requirement for these judicial positions to be elected through partisan primary and general elections, the introduction of partisan ballots for judicial elections, and the establishment of separate nonpartisan ballots for county school board elections. The bill also modifies the candidate filing process, specifying the filing period and the required contents of the certificate of announcement, while removing previous provisions that mandated nonpartisan elections for judicial offices.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for filling vacancies in judicial positions, stipulating that the Governor will appoint from a list of three candidates provided by the relevant party executive committee. It abolishes the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Program and repeals related sections on public campaign financing. The bill aims to enhance transparency and streamline election procedures while ensuring that all judicial elections reflect party affiliation, thereby reducing the nonpartisan nature of the current system.

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