Opal Sanders
Opal Sanders was a 2016 candidate for the Cabell County Magistrate Court in West Virginia.[1] She was defeated in the general election on May 10, 2016.
Sanders was also a 2010 and 2012 candidate for magistrate judge of the magistrate court in Cabell County, West Virginia.[2]
Elections
2016
West Virginia held general elections for county judicial offices on May 10, 2016. This date coincided with partisan primaries for statewide and federal offices. The 2016 election was the first nonpartisan election for the state's judicial seats since statehood in 1863. Learn more about this change here. Candidates interested in filing for the election submitted paperwork by January 30, 2016. Incumbent Darrell Black defeated Opal Sanders and Joe Jefferson in the general election for the Cabell County Magistrate Court Division 6 seat.[1]
| Cabell County Magistrate Court Division 6 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Darrell Black Incumbent |
54.39% | 9,308 |
| Opal Sanders | 24.15% | 4,132 |
| Joe Jefferson | 21.46% | 3,673 |
| Total Votes | 17,113 | |
| Source: West Virginia Secretary of State, "Election Results Center," accessed May 10, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The judges of the West Virginia Circuit Court are elected in nonpartisan elections to serve eight-year terms. Judges must run for re-election when their terms expire.[3]
The chief judge of each circuit court is selected by peer vote. Term lengths vary by circuit.[3]
Qualifications
To serve on a West Virginia Circuit Court, a judge must be:[3]
- a citizen of West Virginia for at least five years;
- a resident of his or her circuit;
- at least 30 years old; and
- practiced in law for at least five years.
2012
Sanders ran for election for Magistrate of Cabell County on May 8, 2012, but was defeated after receiving 4.9% of the vote and coming in 9th out of 20 Democratic candidates.[4]
- See also: West Virginia judicial elections, 2012
2010
Sanders ran for the Cabell County Magistrate Court in 2010. She lost to Dan Goheen in the Democratic primary in May.[5]
- Main article: West Virginia judicial elections, 2010
Education
Sanders attended Marshall University and Mountwest College for her paralegal and criminal justice degrees, respectively.[2]
Career
Sanders has worked in the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, Cabell County Jail, Cabell County 911 and as a Teacher’s Assistant at Davis Creek Elementary.[2]
Awards and associations
Associations
- FOP Gold Star lodge 65
- AARP
- NRA
- Boy Scouts of America[2]
See also
External links
- West Virginia Judiciary Court Information by County
- Opal Sanders campaign website
- Facebook: Opal Sanders For Magistrate
- Herald Dispatch, "Election candidate profile: Opal Sanders," April 10, 2012
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Search," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Information submitted on Judgepedia's biographical submission form on 9/23/2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: West Virginia," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Election Results - 2012 Primary, Cabell County"
- ↑ "Goheen wins Democratic nomination, to face Harvey" The Herald-Dispatch, May 12, 2010
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia
State courts:
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia • West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals • West Virginia Circuit Courts • West Virginia Family Courts • West Virginia Magistrate Courts • West Virginia Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in West Virginia • West Virginia judicial elections • Judicial selection in West Virginia
