West VirginiaMunicipalities must align conflicting local election rules by 2032
West Virginia law requires municipalities with conflicting election rules to align them by July 1, 2032, and allows a one-time officer-term adjustment to help.
What it does
Municipalities with conflicting charter election rules must bring them into line with statewide election law by July 1, 2032.
A municipality may use an ordinance to align local election dates and make a one-time term adjustment, without a separate voter vote. The adjustment cannot extend an incumbent’s current term.
Argument forAligning local election dates with statewide elections could make it easier for voters to follow when municipal elections take place.
Argument againstA one-time shorter or longer term could make it harder for voters to track when a local officer’s seat is up, despite limits on the adjustment.
More detail
A municipality with conflicting charter election rules must amend its charter or revise its election rules to follow §3-1-31. This applies when a city, town, or village charter requires elections on a day or in a manner that conflicts with §3-1-31. The charter amendment or other revision must make the statewide requirements effective by July 1, 2032.
A municipality’s governing body may use an ordinance to change local election-day rules and adjust elected officers’ terms to meet the statewide schedule. The ordinance may address municipal election days and only the transitional term changes needed to align with statewide election dates. The ordinance must be read by title at two or more governing-body meetings at least one week apart. No separate voter approval or charter-amendment election is required for this conformity ordinance. The adjustment cannot extend an incumbent’s current term beyond the term for which that officer was elected, or extend a regular term by more than 18 months. A transitional change applies only to the next term after the election covered by the ordinance; regular term lengths then resume.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 244, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 30Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026Major
- Mar 25To Governor 3/25/26To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026 - Senate JournalMajor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026 - House JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 13House received Senate message
- Mar 12Completed legislative action
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Communicated to House
- Mar 12Passed Senate (Roll No. 513)Passed Senate
- Mar 12Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 12On 3rd reading
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11On 2nd reading
- Mar 10Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 10Immediate consideration
- Mar 10Reported do passMinor
- Mar 5To Government OrganizationMinor
- Mar 5To Government OrganizationMinor
- Mar 5Introduced in SenateMinor
- Mar 4Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Passed House (Roll No. 334)Passed House
- Mar 4Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 4On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 3Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 3On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 2Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 2On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 2On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 27Do pass
- Feb 27By substitute, do pass
- Feb 16To House Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 16Introduced in HouseMinor
- Feb 16To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 16Filed for introductionIntroduced
Government & EthicsCivil Rights & Voting