FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Voters to Decide on City Council Terms of Office in April

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - On April 27, the City of Morgantown will hold its Municipal Election for city council. This year, voters will be asked to decide on changing city council terms from 2-year concurrent to 4-year staggered terms. So, what does that mean?

Council terms are set by the City Charter. In 2020, city council adopted an ordinance stating the proposed change in terms. Currently, the entire Morgantown city council is elected every two years. Similar cities to Morgantown in the state have four-year terms for council members. However, public administrators have suggested that longer terms promote stable policy and efficient management of staff and resources as well as better handling of long-term and complex problems. Four-year terms are also consistent with West Virginia’s largest cities. Alternatively, two-year terms provide voters more regular opportunities to vote on representatives.

For more information on the upcoming election and the referendum on the ballot, visit the city’s Election Information webpage or contact the City Clerk’s office at 304-284-7439.

Municipal Election Timeline:

• Jan. 4 to Feb. 8 - Candidate Filing Period 
• Jan. 4 to Apr. 20 - Absentee Voting Applications Accepted
• Mar. 2 - Drawing for Ballot Positions
• Apr. 6 - Voter Registration Deadline
• Apr. 14 to 24 - Early Voting 
• Apr. 27 - Election Day

###