WV HB3408

Allows circuit judges to fill magistrate vacancies proactively upon receiving formal written notice of an upcoming resignation or retirement, rather than waiting until the vacancy actually occurs

Permits appointment of a replacement when a magistrate-elect resigns after being elected but before taking office for their new term

Requires the resignation or retirement announcement to be submitted by letter to the circuit judge or chief circuit judge

Maintains existing requirement that nonpartisan judicial elections for unexpired magistrate terms be published as Class II-0 legal advertisements in the affected county