This bill proposes amendments to the Code of West Virginia regarding municipal elections, specifically focusing on the procedures for charter amendments and the alignment of election dates. It introduces a limited-purpose ordinance procedure that allows municipalities to amend their charters or governing election provisions to conform with existing state law by July 1, 2032. The bill stipulates that municipalities can adopt ordinances to change election dates and transitional term lengths without the need for voter approval, provided these changes are aimed at achieving conformity with state election laws. Additionally, it allows for a one-time transitional adjustment of terms, ensuring that no incumbent's term is extended beyond what they were originally elected for.

Key changes include the insertion of language that permits municipalities to amend or supersede local enactments governing election days and term lengths, as well as the removal of previous requirements for voter approval for such amendments. The bill also clarifies that any transitional term adjustments must revert to the regular term structure after the one-time change. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the process for municipalities to align their election practices with state law while maintaining the integrity of local governance.

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