As I follow through with the 2016 Election and what happened, versus what is happening now, one may have to come back to this page to keep the dots connected OR where the City disconnected the system.
Below is the Election Law concerning Municipal Elections:
103.14 APPLICABILITY OF STATE ELECTION LAW TO MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
The provisions of West Virginia Code Chapter 3, as amended, shall so far as the same can be applied and so far as not otherwise provided in this article, govern the conduct of Municipal elections and to that extent, such Chapter 3, is hereby adopted and made a part of this article by reference. The Recorder shall perform all duties as required by the Clerk of the County Commission and Circuit Clerk as in the case of State and County elections. The duties imposed by general State election laws upon County Commissions shall devolve upon Council, if not inconsistent with other provisions of this article. The Recorder shall be the chief election officer who shall perform such other duties as required by Ordinance and West Virginia Code 3-1-1 et seq., as amended.
(Ord. 0-19-88. Passed 12-22-88.)
Allow me this, who's name do you see as being a mandatory part of an Election? The best you are going to be able to put in is that of Ms. Smith, Council Recorder. Now, how did this get applied in the 2016 Election?
Now how is an Election for a "Primary" set up versus a "General" Election?
103.16 NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
Primary elections conducted in the City shall be non-partisan. At each primary election, candidates for all offices to be filled at the ensuing general election by the voters of the City shall be nominated by the voters as follows:
(a) Mayor. The individuals who receive the highest and second highest number of legally cast votes shall be declared the nominees for Mayor and advance to the general election.
(b) Recorder. The individuals who receive the highest and second highest number of legally cast votes shall be declared the nominees for Recorder and advance to the general election.
(c) Councilman. The ten individuals who receive the highest number of legally cast votes shall be declared the nominees for Councilman and advance to the general election.
All ties shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 103.12. (Ord. 0-19-88. Passed 12-22-88.)
103.17 CANCELLATION OF NON-PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION.
In the event that in the same election year three or less candidates file for the Office of Mayor, three or less candidates file for the Office of Recorder, and fifteen or less candidates file for the Office of Councilman, upon certification to Council by the Recorder of such filings, Council may, by resolution, order that the primary election for that year be waived and not held. In such event, the only election held for that election year shall be the non-partisan general election, held in accordance with the provisions of Article 103, relating to such general elections. (Ord. 10-00. Passed 12-28-00.)
Paid for by the Candidate- Lawrence Wilson