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Introduced Version House Bill 2816 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. B. 2816


          (By Delegates Howell (By Request) A. Evans, Rowan,
           Espinosa, Ireland, Folk, Shott, J. Nelson,
           Miller, Westfall and Frich)
          [Introduced March 5, 2013; referred to the
          Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.]


A BILL to amend and reenact §8-5-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to municipalities; residency requirements of candidates for council; and requiring six- month residency before being eligible to run for election to city or municipal council.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     That §8-5-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 5. ELECTION, APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATION AND COMPENSATION   OF OFFICERS; GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO OFFICERS   AND EMPLOYEES; ELECTIONS AND PETITIONS GENERALLY;   CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
§8-5-7. Certain officers; wards or election districts; residency and other requirements.
  (a) Unless otherwise provided in the charter of a municipality, there shall be elected a mayor, a recorder and councilmen, who together shall form the governing body of the municipality.
  (b) When a municipality has not been divided into wards or election districts, there shall be at least five councilmen, but when the municipality has been divided into wards or election districts, the governing body may, by ordinance, determine the number of councilmen to be elected from each ward or election district. When it is deemed necessary, the governing body may, by ordinance, increase the number of wards or election districts and change the boundaries thereof, such wards or election districts to be made as nearly equal as may be, in population, and when the municipality shall be divided into wards or election districts, or there shall be an increase in the number of wards or election districts as aforesaid, the governing body may increase the number of councilmen and direct an election to be held at the next regular municipal election in such ward or wards or election district or districts so that each ward or election district may have its full number of councilmen residing therein and may have equal representation on the governing body. When a municipality has been divided into wards or election districts, the governing body may, by ordinance, also provide for the election of councilmen at large in addition to the councilmen to be elected from each ward or election district. The provisions of this subsection shall be applicable to any municipality except to the extent otherwise provided in the charter of such municipality.
  (c) Unless otherwise provided by charter provision or ordinance, the mayor, recorder and councilmen must be residents of the municipality and must be qualified voters entitled to vote for members of its governing body. A city manager in a manager form of government need only be a resident of the city at the time of his or her appointment: Provided, That a candidate for city or municipal council shall be a resident of the municipality for at least six months prior to a primary election. The date the residency began shall be determined from the date the candidate registered to vote within the municipality.


     
  NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require six-month residency before being eligible to run for election to city or municipal council.


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