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, including situations where a magistrate-elect resigns before taking office. This change aims to ensure continuity in the magistrate's office and streamline the appointment process.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that when a magistrate is elected for an unexpired term, the circuit judge or chief judge must publish a notice of the election as a Class II-0 legal advertisement in compliance with existing legal requirements. This provision ensures that the election process is transparent and that the public is adequately informed about upcoming elections for magistrate positions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 50-1-6