Morgantown voters narrowly uphold camping ban ordinance
Voters headed to the polls Tuesday to uphold the city’s camping ban enacted last year. The vote comes after six other cities in West Virginia have adopted similar legislation in recent years.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Residents Tuesday narrowly voted to uphold a controversial ordinance that imposes fines and jail time on the city’s homeless population. 982 voters supported the measure with 904 voting for its repeal.
Results remain unofficial—and subject to change—until May 5.
Adopted just after midnight on Sept. 4, 2024, the ordinance prohibits camping, sleeping and storing personal belongings on public property. On a third and subsequent violation of the ban, a fine of $500 or a 30 day jail sentence could be imposed.
At the September meeting last year, two dozen speakers–overwhelmingly opposed to the ordinance–spoke of a “rushed process” that would increase harm on the vulnerable community. Proponents of the ban said the measure will clean up the city’s streets and promote business in its small downtown.
The Morgantown City Council narrowly adopted their ban by a vote of 4-3.
After its adoption, the Morgantown Coalition for Housing Action, or MoCHA, successfully petitioned the council to reconsider its action. On Nov. 21, the council upheld its support for the ban despite the petition, sending the issue to the voters.
Anna Saab of MoCHA said her organization would keep fighting despite the vote.
“MoCHA and all the other folks working on housing justice will continue to support the efforts of case workers and leaders in our community providing care and support,” Saab said. “All we have is each other, and we’ll continue to strengthen our community for ALL [sic] of us.”
The citizen vote to uphold the ban is a first for a state that has seen several communities adopt similar legislation in the wake of rising homelessness throughout the country and a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that rejected the claim that fines and jail time are cruel and unusual punishments.
Since 2023, the cities of Bluefield, Clarksburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Westover and Wheeling have banned camping on public property. Clarsburg residents attempted to organize a recall petition, but the campaign failed to receive the required number of signatures.
In June 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Grants Pass v. Johnson that penalties for camping, including fines and jail time, do not violate the Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment, paving the way for communities across the nation to adopt similar legislation.
An attempt to ban camping, sleeping and storing personal belongings in public property statewide failed to pass the Legislature during its short 60-day session this year. Del. Geno Chiarelli, R-Morgantown, sponsored the legislation in reaction to the citizen-led movement to see it overturned.
Morgantown voters also rejected a charter amendment that would have allowed the city council to hire a city manager that resides outside of its municipal borders. Several communities commonly associated with Morgantown lie outside the city’s actual borders.
Deputy Mayor Jenny Selin and newcomer Jodi Hollingshead ran unopposed to represent the city’s fourth and second wards, respectively. In the city’s only contested race, Mark Allen Downs edged out Stephanie Hunt to win his seat on council for the city’s sixth ward.
All results are unofficial until the city canvases votes and certifies the election early next month.