HB 4080
To provide for partisan races for mayoral and city council races, and provide for the election of mayors by citizens of a town or municipality.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill proposes to change how mayors and city council members are elected in West Virginia. It would require mayoral and city council elections to be conducted as partisan races, meaning candidates would be affiliated with political parties. Additionally, the bill aims to establish a system where mayors are elected directly by the citizens of a town or municipality, rather than being appointed.
Key provisions
- Requires mayoral and city council elections to be partisan.
- Establishes that mayors must be elected by direct citizen vote, not appointment.
- Sets a deadline of July 1, 2032, for municipalities to amend their charters to align with these changes.
- Allows for staggered terms for elected municipal officers, requiring voter approval.
- Requires municipalities to share election administrative costs with county commissions, based on voter registration.
- Mandates that all municipal elections for city council and mayor be partisan.
- Specifies that charters must include a method for filing candidacy certificates and conducting elections.
- Provides for a process for municipalities without charters to establish election dates aligning with statewide elections.
Who is affected
- City and town governments in West Virginia
- Voters in West Virginia cities and towns
- Mayors and city council members in West Virginia
- County commissions in West Virginia
- Political parties in West Virginia
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