West Virginia Code 7A-8-1 – Charter amendment
(a) If a charter is adopted, it may be amended by one of the following methods:
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 7A-8-1
- Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
(1) The governing body of the consolidated local government may submit a proposed amendment by resolution to the voters at the next primary or general election. Notice of the election and the proposed amendment shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected areas. If a majority of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the consolidated local government approve the amendment, then the amendment becomes effective as permitted by law;
(2) The governing body of the consolidated local government may amend the charter by ordinance. However, if a petition signed by at least ten percent of the qualified voters of the consolidated local government is filed with the governing body within thirty days following publication of the ordinance, the governing body shall submit the charter amendment to the voters at the next primary or general election. Notice of the election and the proposed amendment shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected areas. If a majority of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the consolidated local government approve the amendment, then the amendment becomes effective as permitted by law; or
(3) If a petition, signed by ten percent of the qualified voters in the consolidated local government, is filed with the governing body of the consolidated local government proposing an amendment to the charter, then the governing body shall submit the proposed amendment to the voters at the next primary or general election. Notice of the election and the proposed amendment shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected areas. If a majority of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the consolidated local government approve the amendment, then the amendment becomes effective as permitted by law.
(b) If an election is held, then the governing body shall submit each proposed amendment generally in the following form:
Should the amendment described below be adopted for the charter of ()?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
The ballot shall contain a summary of the proposed amendment.