This bill proposes amendments to the Code of West Virginia regarding the processes for amending city charters and the scheduling of municipal elections. It allows city governing bodies to adopt charter amendments by ordinance, provided that no objections are filed or if objections are withdrawn. Notably, the bill includes provisions for amendments made solely to ensure conformity with existing election laws, specifically referencing sections 8-5-5 and 3-1-31. Additionally, it establishes that if a city’s charter conflicts with the election provisions of 3-1-31, the charter must be amended or revised to comply by July 1, 2032.

Furthermore, the bill introduces flexibility in the terms of elected municipal officers, allowing for staggered or changed terms without requiring separate voter approval, as long as these changes are aimed at achieving conformity with the specified election laws. It also outlines that any transitional term adjustments must revert to the regular term structure after implementation. The bill eliminates certain procedural requirements for adopting these ordinances, streamlining the process for municipalities to align their election dates with statewide elections. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and simplify the governance of municipal elections and charter amendments in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-4-8, 8-5-5