This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to establish a requirement for independent candidates seeking political office to file their certificates of announcement in January of the election year. Specifically, it stipulates that all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, must submit their filing between the second Monday and the last Saturday of January before the primary election day. The bill also clarifies that the offices of the Secretary of State and county clerks will have extended hours on the final day of the filing period to accommodate candidates.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the content of the certificate of announcement, which must be sworn before a notary public and include various details such as the candidate's name, the office sought, and a statement of good faith candidacy. It emphasizes the importance of verifying party affiliation for partisan elections and outlines the consequences for candidates who provide false information. The amendments enacted by the Legislature in the 2024 Regular Session will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-5-7