To amend the West Virginia Constitution to require single member districts for all West Virginia State Senators

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Larry Kump

The bill would establish 34 single-member West Virginia Senate districts based on the 2020 Census, effective for the 2026 elections.

To House Government Organization

#constitutionalamendments #resolutions

Overview

House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7) is a proposed constitutional amendment for the 2026 West Virginia general election. Its central aim is to establish the West Virginia Senate as consisting of 34 single-member districts, based on the 2020 U.S. Census data, and to implement this structure beginning with the 2026 elections.

Purpose and intent

Create a single-member district system for all State Senate seats.

Align Senate apportionment with constitutional standards using the 2020 Census results.

Label the measure as Amendment No. 1, referred to as the “Redistricting Amendment,” with the stated purpose: “to create single member districts in the West Virginia Senate.”

Key provisions

The Senate shall be permanently composed of 34 single senatorial districts.

District boundaries must meet constitutional standards and be based on the 2020 Census.

Implementation is to occur in conjunction with the 2026 elections.

The amendment is to be proposed and submitted to voters at the next general election (2026) for ratification or rejection.

The proposal is introduced as a constitutional amendment to Article VI (The Legislature) and adds a new section designated as Section 58.

The bill references existing West Virginia code provisions governing redistricting (W.Va. Code §3-11-1 et seq.) for implementation details.

Who is affected

Current and future members of the West Virginia Senate, who would transition from multi-member or other districting arrangements (if any prior to ratification) to the 34 single-member districts.

State voters, who will vote on the constitutional amendment in the 2026 general election.

State legislative process and redistricting officials, who would apply census-based districting criteria consistent with constitutional requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: January 14, 2026.

Initial referral to the Committee on Government Organization and then the Judiciary.

Requires two-thirds vote of both houses to be placed on the ballot for ratification at the 2026 general election.

If ratified by voters, the 2026 elections would be conducted using the new 34 single-member districts as the basis for Senate representation.

The measure is labeled as a redistricting amendment and is to be implemented “during the 2026 elections,” with ongoing adherence to constitutional and statutory redistricting standards.

Notes

The summary emphasizes the substantive change: moving to 34 single-member Senate districts, derived from the 2020 Census, and effective starting with the 2026 elections.

The bill does not detail district boundaries but directs alignment with constitutional standards and existing redistricting statutes.