By Lori Kersey for West Virginia Watch
The West Virginia House of Delegates has signed off on legislation that would require municipalities to hold their elections on the same day as state elections. Delegates passed Senate Bill 50 Monday with a vote of 96 to 2.
Supporters of the bill say requiring municipalities to have their elections along with state elections will save cities and towns money and encourage voter turnout. According to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, 113 municipalities across the state will have their elections in 2025, which is not a year for state elections.
Morgantown’s election, for instance, is scheduled for Apr. 29. Bridgeport’s election will be June 10.
Under the version of the bill passed by the House, cities and towns have until 2028 to hold their elections on the same day as state elections. Delegates approved the change in a floor amendment offered by Del. Geno Chiarelli, R-Monongalia, on Friday.
The Senate passed the bill unanimously on Mar. 3. In the Senate’s version of the bill, the deadline was 2032. Those who advocated for a later deadline have said that some municipalities established their election dates in their charter, and that changing the charters may require an election. Others argued that state law would supersede municipal law and allow cities and towns to change the dates sooner.
The Secretary of State’s Office also supported a later deadline, saying in a statement that it would allow more time for municipalities to conduct local redistricting for any conflicts with geographic, precinct and political districts. Redistricting is especially an issue for smaller municipalities, a spokesman for the office said.
Del. Larry Kump, R-Berkeley, spoke in support of the bill Monday, saying that in his district, Hedgesville and Martinsburg have low voter turnout because of “weird” election days.
“By mandating that all West Virginia elections are held on normal election dates, Senate Bill 50 will eliminate the taxpayer burden of holding these special elections, but importantly, will also increase voter awareness and election turnout,” Kump said.
He relayed a story about moving to West Virginia years ago and asking about cities’ having “weird” election days. He said he was told that the off-year elections entrench government officials by ensuring that their friends come out to vote for them but others stay home, unaware of the election.
The bill will now go back to the Senate to consider the change the House made to the bill.
West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.
