WEST virginia legislature

2019 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2605

By Delegate Kump and Porterfield

[Introduced January 22, 2019; Referred
to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §8-5-5a, relating to placing on the ballot of voters in every municipality of this state the question of whether the municipality should hold its future municipal elections on a state general election day.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

article 5. election, appointment, quialification and compensation of officers; general provisions relating to officers and employees; election and petitions generally; conflict of interest.

§8-5-5a. Regular election of officers on state general election day.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, at the next general election in 2020 every ballot issued to a voter within the boundary of a municipality in this state, which does not hold municipal elections on the state general election day, shall include the following question for the voters of that municipality:

“Shall the municipality of “[insert municipality]” hold its future municipal elections on a state general election day?

                        [ ] Yes                                                  [ ] No

(Place a cross mark in the square next to your choice)”

If a majority of the voters of that municipality vote “Yes,” the municipality shall provide for regular municipal elections on the state general election day beginning in 2022, and thereafter on a state general election day. Municipalities are authorized to stagger the terms of elected municipal officers to effectuate the transition to the initial election of municipal officers on the state general election day in 2022.

If a majority of the voters in that municipality vote “No,” the regular election of officers shall continue to be held on the second Tuesday in June of the appropriate year, unless otherwise provided in the charter of the city or the special legislative charters of the towns or villages.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to place on the ballot of voters in every municipality of this state that does not hold municipal elections on the state general election day the question of whether the municipality shall hold its future municipal elections on a state general election day.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.