Morgantown considering joining the county primary ballot in 2030
May 23—MORGANTOWN — The city of Morgantown is plotting its course toward compliance with the newly implemented state law regarding municipal elections.
Senate Bill 50 — passed during the most recent legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Patrick Morrisey — requires municipalities to align their respective elections with either the statewide primary or general elections held in May or November of even-numbered years, respectively.
The state is requiring all municipalities to be in compliance by the end of 2030.
While it's difficult to know exactly how many municipalities are already on a state election schedule, there are at least 104 that aren't.
According to Secretary of State Kris Warner's office, that's how many municipalities are scheduled to hold elections in 2025. Morgantown and Granville are among that number.
Morgantown held an election April 29. Granville will hold its final standalone election June 10.
Granville residents voted 270-47 in favor of moving in line with the county's primary as part of a ballot measure in November.
The winners of Granville's June election — every race is unopposed — will serve a one-year term. The seats will be back up for election with the traditional two-year term as part of the county-run primary ballot in May 2026.
As Morgantown City Council members serve staggered, four-year terms, the transition requires a little more runway to launch.
As part of its upcoming committee of the whole agenda, the body is expected to get a first public look at a plan to make that switch, which will require an amendment to the city's charter.
According to the proposed charter change, the April 2027 city election for council's 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th wards would be for three-year terms. Likewise, the April 2029 election for the 2nd, 4th and 6th wards would be for three-year terms.
Under this plan, all Morgantown City Council elections would be for full, four-year terms, held on the date of the statewide May primary election and administered by the Monongalia County starting in May 2030.
Star City and Westover have both already moved onto the county's primary ballot.
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