FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2025

City of Morgantown Shares Updates for the 2025 City Election

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The City of Morgantown is preparing for its 2025 City Election, scheduled for April 29, 2025. 
 
According to the city’s municipal charter, any one or more qualified voters of the city may be nominated for city council, to be elected at large, from the ward in which they reside. The 2025 ballot will feature three open city council seats, specifically for the second, fourth, and sixth ward.

Candidates seeking election must gather a minimum of 75 or more signatures from qualified voters residing in their respective ward. Signatures must include the first and last names of signatories, along with any applicable suffixes. Nicknames will not be accepted. Additionally, a qualified voter’s signature may only appear on one nominating petition. 

Furthermore, the ballot will include two items for voter consideration. The first ordinance seeks to amend the city charter to modify the city manager’s residency requirements, and the second item is a referendum to decide whether to repeal Article 1157 entitled “Camping on Public Property," which was adopted by Council but referred to the voters at this election by a petition process. To view the ballot initiatives, CLICK HERE.

 Dates for the election process are as follows:
 
 - Jan. 2 to April 23, 2025: Absentee Voting applications can be submitted at the City Clerk’s office for those unable to vote in person due to various circumstances, including being out of the country, confined to home or health care facilities, or due to traveling on election day.
 
 - Jan. 6 to Feb. 10, 2025: Nominating Petitions and Certificates of Announcement will be available for pickup. Candidates must file these documents by February 10, 2025. Signatures must be collected within this time frame.
 
 - March 4, 2025: A drawing for ballot positions will occur at City Hall Council Chambers at 9:00 a.m.
 
 - March 14, 2025: Ballots are due to the City of Morgantown, as required by WV Code.

- March 30, 2025: Last day to withdraw as a candidate no later than 30 days before the date of the election per Ordinance 2024-40.
 
 - April 1-7, 2025: Candidates must submit their First Quarter Campaign Finance Reports.
 
 - April 7, 2025: Last day to register to vote.
 
 - April 14-18, 2025: Candidates must file statements of all financial transactions.
 
 - April 15, 2025: Deadline for write-in candidates to submit their Certificates of Announcement.
 
 - April 16-26, 2025: Early voting will take place at the Historic Depot Building at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 
 - April 29, 2025: Election Day, with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
 
 - May 5, 2025: Canvassing of precincts will be conducted.
 
 - Subsequent Financial Reports: Candidates must file quarterly financial reports throughout the year, with deadlines in July, October, and January.
 
Filing deadlines that fall on weekends or legal holidays will be extended to the next business day as per WV Code.

To view a list of polling locations, CLICK HERE.
 
For additional election, candidate information, and polling locations, residents can contact the City Clerk’s office at 304-284-7439 or visit the www.morgantownwv.gov.

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