H. B. 4246

(By Delegate Kump, Folk, Gearheart, Faircloth, Rowan, Householder, Hamrick, Romine, Lynch, Longstreth and Miller)

         [Introduced January 21, 2014; referred to the

Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary then Finance.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto 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:

    That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §8-5-5a, 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.

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

    Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, at the next general election in 2014 every ballot issued to a voter within the boundary of a municipality in this state shall include the following question for the voters of that municipality:

    "Shall the municipality of 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 2018, 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 2018.

    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 the question of whether the municipality shall hold its future municipal elections on a state general election day.

    This section is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.