This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to establish new regulations regarding party affiliation changes in relation to candidacy for elections. Specifically, it prohibits individuals from changing their party affiliation from Independent or no party to a political party affiliation within 60 days prior to running for office. The bill also outlines the requirements for filing a certificate of announcement for candidacies, including a sworn statement confirming the candidate's party affiliation and the duration of their membership with that party.

Additionally, the bill introduces new language that requires candidates to affirm that they have been affiliated with their chosen political party for at least 60 days before filing their announcement, with an exception for those who have never been registered to vote in West Virginia. The bill also specifies that any changes made during the 2024 Legislative Session will take effect on January 1, 2026. Overall, the legislation aims to ensure that candidates have a consistent party affiliation leading up to elections, thereby promoting integrity in the electoral process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-5-7