This bill amends West Virginia Code §50-1-6 to allow for the filling of vacancies in the office of magistrate not only when a vacancy occurs but also in anticipation of an upcoming resignation or retirement. Specifically, it permits a circuit judge or chief circuit judge to fill a vacancy upon receiving a formal announcement of such an upcoming change. This includes situations where a magistrate-elect resigns after being elected but before taking office.

Additionally, the bill mandates that in the event of a nonpartisan judicial election for an unexpired term of a magistrate, the circuit judge or chief judge must publish a notice of the election as a Class II-0 legal advertisement in the relevant county. This change aims to ensure that the process for filling magistrate vacancies is clear and efficient, thereby maintaining the functionality of the judicial system in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 50-1-6