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 stipulates 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. The overall aim of the bill is to streamline the process of filling magistrate vacancies and ensure continuity in the judicial system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 50-1-6