West Virginians will go to the polls on Nov. 3 to pick the people to fill federal jobs like U.S. senator and U.S. representative all the way down to state legislative seats and county commissioners.
Voting in Hardy County
In Hardy County, like around West Virginia, early voting starts on Oct. 21.
You can vote in-person early from Oct. 21 through Oct. 31. Here’s a list of all of the early voting locations and hours around the state, but to find out more specifics about Hardy County, call the county clerk at 304-530-0250.
Voting by mail is only available for West Virginians who are unable to vote in person for reasons like illness, incarceration, work schedule and travel. Here’s more information about voting absentee.
New this year: voters will be required to show a photo ID when they go to the polls. County clerks and the secretary of state can also issue voter ID cards that meet these requirements.
On Election Day, Nov. 3, polls in Hardy County will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can find your polling place by entering your information here.
Federal races
U.S. Senate
On the Record: candidate responses
Mountain State Spotlight asked each candidate to rate their level of agreement with four statements. Here are the statements and the responses we received.
Issue 1: I agree with President Donald Trump that FEMA should be eliminated and that the primary responsibility for handling disasters such as flooding and tornadoes should rest with state and local governments.
Issue 2: The federal government should provide incentives to energy and manufacturing companies, including relaxing regulations, to help keep them operating in West Virginia.
Issue 3: As West Virginians face rising costs of living and gas prices, I will prioritize the domestic welfare of my constituents over foreign interventions such as the war in Iran.
Issue 4: I will prioritize the autonomy and privacy of my constituents when voting on bills related to artificial intelligence and data centers.
U.S. House of Representatives
On the Record: candidate responses
Mountain State Spotlight asked each candidate to rate their level of agreement with four statements. Here are the statements and the responses we received.
Issue 1: I agree with President Donald Trump that FEMA should be eliminated and that the primary responsibility for handling disasters such as flooding and tornadoes should rest with state and local governments.
Issue 2: The federal government should provide incentives to energy and manufacturing companies, including relaxing regulations, to help keep them operating in West Virginia.
Issue 3: As West Virginians face rising costs of living and gas prices, I will prioritize the domestic welfare of my constituents over foreign interventions such as the war in Iran.
Issue 4: I will prioritize the autonomy and privacy of my constituents when voting on bills related to artificial intelligence and data centers.
State constitutional amendment
Citizenship Requirement to Vote in West Virginia Elections Amendment
Every West Virginia ballot will contain the following constitutional amendment:
Summary of Purpose: This amendment provides that in all elections held in West Virginia only citizens of the United States who are citizens of this state are qualified to vote.
Instructions to Voters: To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to “FOR”. To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to “AGAINST”.
Non-citizens are already blocked from voting in West Virginia elections per state code. If a simple majority of more than 50% of voters approves this amendment, this would add the prohibition to the state constitution.
The resolution that put this measure on the ballot was sponsored by Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, and approved unanimously by both the state Senate and House of Delegates. Similar language is included in the American Legislative Exchange Council’s “Essential Policy Solutions for 2026,” and the amendment is supported by Americans for Citizen Voting, which advocates for similar policies around the country. It’s opposed by the League of Women Voters of West Virginia, which calls it “completely unnecessary.”
West Virginia Legislature
Need to know which West Virginia House or Senate district you live in?
Who you see on your ballot for West Virginia House and Senate depends on where you live. Enter your address in the tool below.
Senate District 14
On the Record: Candidates did not respond to Mountain State Spotlight’s survey.
House District 86
On the Record
Mountain State Spotlight asked each candidate to rate their level of agreement with five statements. Here are the statements; click the arrow to see the responses we received.
West Virginia should fund infrastructure such as clean drinking water, high-quality roads and bridges, and local public schools before passing additional income tax cuts.
The best way to ensure every West Virginia child receives a quality education is to ensure the Hope Scholarship is fully funded for all students with no eligibility restrictions.
When federal funding is cut for social services like SNAP and Medicaid, the state should step in to ensure eligible West Virginians still have access.
Legislation around data centers, namely 2025’s HB 2014, should be revised to return meaningful oversight and authority over such projects to local communities and governments.
Lawmakers should direct more government economic development resources toward initiatives recommended by the state Chamber of Commerce, like childcare, high-speed internet and workforce training.
County races
Hardy County levy
School levy
Special election to authorize additional levies (the “Excess Levy”) for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, July 1, 2028, July 1, 2029, July 1, 2030, and July 1, 2031, in the approximate average amount of $1,300,459 annually, for the purpose of the payment of the general current expenses of The Board of Education of the County of Hardy (the “Board”), including for the purposes hereinafter set forth; all according to the Order of the Board entered on the 19th day of August, 2026, and as more particularly described below.
The purpose for which additional funds are needed during the term of this five-year levy, and the approximate average annual amount for such purpose after due allowances for discounts, delinquencies, exonerations, uncollected taxes and shrinkage, subject to variation from year to year, are as follows:
Employment and Retention Support, including, without limitation, funding to maintain current and additional needed positions above the funding formula provided by the state, to improve and enhance the Hardy County School District’s instructional program, school safety and/or student support programs by the employment and retention of qualified teachers and/or service personnel. $1,300,459
The amount set forth above is the anticipated average annual amount for this purpose. The actual amount likely will vary from one fiscal year to the next. If the above-stated purpose is declared unconstitutional or invalid due to judicial or legislative action, then any affected funds may be used for the enrichment, supplementation, operation, and improvement of educational services, schools and/or facilities in the public schools of Hardy County, West Virginia, as Board may determine from time to time, in its discretion.
The total amount necessary to carry out the above purpose over five fiscal years, after making reasonable allowances for discounts, delinquencies, exonerations, uncollected taxes and shrinkage, is $6,502,295 or the average sum of $1,300,459 annually. The actual amount budgeted, as well as the amount spent, for such purpose likely will vary from one fiscal year to the next depending on the realized tax collections and the needs of the Hardy County School District, as determined by the Board with respect to each fiscal year. If the amount budgeted by the Board for a fiscal year are not able to be spent entirely in such fiscal year, then the unspent amount shall be carried over and, in the Board’s sole discretion, spent on such specific purpose in subsequent fiscal years.
If additional State, Federal, private or other special funds are made available to the Board for the above-stated purpose, the amounts herein set forth may be used, solely or on a matching basis, to secure said additional funds or provide additional services. Additional funds received by grant, donation or otherwise from the state or federal government, or from any agency of either, or from any other public or private source, for the above-stated purpose, may be used either in substitution for or in addition to the funds obtained from this Excess Levy. The Board reserves unto itself as the levying body the right and authority, in its discretion, to reduce the rates of the excess levy, should increased assessments produce funds in excess of projected needs in any year specified in the levy call in accordance with section six-g, article eight, chapter
eleven, of the West Virginia Code.
The Board is hereby authorized and empowered to expend, during the term of this Excess Levy and one additional year, the surplus, if any, accruing in excess of the above amount needed for the above-stated purpose, plus excess collections due to increased assessed valuations for the enrichment, supplementation, operation, and improvement of educational services, schools and/or facilities in the public schools of Hardy County, West Virginia, including student instructional supplies, materials, equipment, facility improvements and/or capital projects, as Board may determine
from time to time, in its discretion.
In the event that the actual amount collected is less than the amount noted for the above-stated purpose for any one or more fiscal years, the Board is hereby authorized and empowered to determine, in its discretion, to reduce the spending for such purpose in such fiscal year; provided, that the total of any such reduction shall not exceed the amount of such collection shortfall each year.
The additional levy, in cents per $100 of assessed value on each class of property, shall be on Class I property 3.79 cents; on Class II property 7.58 cents; on Class III property 15.16 cents; on Class IV property 15.16 cents.
That the proposed years to which the additional rate of levies shall apply are the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, July 1, 2028, July 1, 2029, July 1, 2030 and July 1, 2031.
Hardy County Commission
What does a county commission do?
Every West Virginia county has an elected county body that governs it. These officials are elected to six-year terms; their responsibilities include overseeing county tax dollars, supervising the county election process, maintaining the county courthouse and funding county services like libraries, ambulances, fire services and trash pick up. Candidates have to be at least 18 years old, and live in the magisterial district they’re vying to represent.
Hancock County Clerk — Unexpired
What does a county clerk do?
In every West Virginia county, county clerks are the chief elections officer. They also handle functions including voter registration, licenses (like marriages and deaths), handling payroll for county employees, maintaining county financial documents and assisting the county commission. In West Virginia, county clerks are elected to a six-year term. Candidates must be 18 years of age and a county resident.
Hancock County Prosecuting Attorney — Unexpired
What does a prosecuting attorney do?
Every West Virginia county has an elected prosecutor; this person is the county’s chief legal officer and handles the prosecution of all misdemeanor and felony crimes in the county. Candidates are elected to four year terms, and the only requirements are they be at least 18 years old, a resident of West Virginia and admitted to practice law by the time they file for office.
These are all of the races that are listed on the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website, but there may be other local races on your ballot! For more information about Hardy County races call the county clerk at 304-530-0250.
If you see an error in our voter guide, or want to provide more information about one of the candidates, please email us at contact@mountainstatespotlight.org.