WV HB2702

Requires individuals appointed to fill vacancies in partisan elected offices (state officials, U.S. Congress, state legislature, county positions) to have been registered with the relevant political party for at least one year prior to the vacancy occurring

Changes the standard for determining which political party an appointee must belong to, basing it on the vacating officeholder's party affiliation at the time of the previous election rather than at the time of vacancy

Authorizes the Governor to appoint temporary acting officials to perform duties of constitutional offices (Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture) until permanent appointments are made

Modifies magistrate vacancy procedures to allow circuit judges to fill prospective vacancies upon formal announcement of upcoming resignation or retirement, and requires unexpired terms of more than two years to be filled by nonpartisan judicial election at the next primary or general election

Establishes that state legislature appointees must have been residents of the district they will represent for at least one year preceding the appointment