This bill amends section 8-4-8 of the Code of West Virginia to establish a requirement for a petition from qualified voters before a previously defeated charter amendment can be reconsidered. Specifically, it introduces new language stating that if a majority of legal votes cast at an election is against a proposed amendment, that amendment cannot be proposed again without a petition from qualified voters, as outlined in section 8-4-1(b) of the code. This change aims to ensure that once an amendment has been rejected, there is a formal process involving voter support before it can be brought back for consideration.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the method of charter amendment described in this section is supplementary to other methods already prescribed in the chapter, reinforcing the idea that this new requirement does not replace existing procedures but rather adds an additional layer of voter involvement in the amendment process. The overall intent of the bill is to enhance democratic participation by requiring a clear expression of support from the electorate before reconsidering amendments that have previously been turned down.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-4-8