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 Harrison County
In Harrison 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 Harrison County, call the county clerk at (304) 624-8674.
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 Harrison 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 12
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.
House District 69
On the Record: Candidates did not respond to Mountain State Spotlight’s survey.
House District 70
On the Record: Candidates did not respond to Mountain State Spotlight’s survey.
House District 71
On the Record: Candidates did not respond to Mountain State Spotlight’s survey.
House District 72
On the Record: Candidate did not respond to Mountain State Spotlight’s survey.
County races
Harrison County levies
Historic Preservation Alliance levy
According to the Order of the Harrison County Commission, adopted on the 31st day of August, 2026, A Special election will be held to authorize additional levies, allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount, for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, July 1, 2028, July 1, 2029 and July 1, 2030 for the purpose of providing funding for the following organization in the following amounts:
Historical Preservation Alliance
Fiscal Year 27/28: $100,000
Fiscal Year 28/29: $103,000
Fiscal Year 29/30: $106,090
Fiscal Year 30/31: $109,272
The additional levy allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027, shall be on Class I property 0.06 cents; on Class II property 0.12 cents; and on Class III and Class IV property 0.24 cents; per $100.00 valuation.
The additional levy allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028, shall be on Class I property 0.06 cents; on Class II property 0.12 cents; and on Class III and Class IV property 0.24 cents; per $100.00 valuation.
The additional levy allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2029, shall be on Class I property 0.06 cents; on Class II property 0.12 cents; and on Class III and Class IV property 0.24 cents; per $100.00 valuation.
The additional levy allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2030, shall be on Class I property 0.07 cents; on Class II property 0.14 cents; and on Class III and Class IV property 0.28 cents; per $100.00 valuation.
That in the event the separate and aggregate assessed valuation of each class of taxable property within the County of Harrison increases during the term of the special levy, the levy rate shall be adjusted so that the projected tax collection will not exceed the maximum sum of: $100,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027; $103,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028; $106,090 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2029; and $109,272 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2030.
Examples of authorized uses of levy funds are as follows: General operating expenses, building, infrastructure, and equipment maintenance and repairs, promotion of tourism and historical preservation, acquisition and upgrades of equipment, property or structures, improvements and modifications to land and facilities, and matching funds to obtain federal funds or other available funds. The Harrison County Commission will each year provide the amount of funds from the levy to the Historical Preservation Alliance in the amounts as set forth in this order. Further, in relation to
the expenditure of funds, the Historical Preservation Alliance shall quarterly account for all expenditures, costs, and requisitions to the Harrison County Commission; and no levy funds shall be distributed to the Historical Preservation Alliance without written proof being provided to, and reviewed by, the Harrison County Commission. The Historical Preservation Alliance shall reimburse the Harrison County Commission for any and all levy funds determined to have been expended for an unauthorized purpose.
In the event the Historical Preservation Alliance would cease to exist, for whatever reason, or, if the amount of funds collected exceed the approximate amount, the Harrison County Commission will follow all necessary legal and governmental requirements to ensure that any funding previously allocated to said entity may be repurposed; and that such finding may be repurposed for use in county special and/or improvements projects; or otherwise that such funds be eliminated from collection consistent with West Virginia law.
Community health and library levy
According to the Order of the Harrison County Commission, adopted on the 31st day of August, 2026, A Special election will be held to authorize additional levies, allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount, for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, July 1, 2028, July 1, 2029 and July 1, 2030 for the purpose of providing for the continued operation of the following organizations in the following amounts:
Community Health
Fiscal Year 27/28: $880,000
Fiscal Year 28/29: $906,400
Fiscal Year 29/30: $933,592
Fiscal Year 30/31: $961,600
Lowe Public Library
Fiscal Year 27/28: $10,000
Fiscal Year 28/29: $10,300
Fiscal Year 29/30: $10,609
Fiscal Year 30/31: $10,927
Southern Area Public Library
Fiscal Year 27/28: $10,000
Fiscal Year 28/29: $10,300
Fiscal Year 29/30: $10,609
Fiscal Year 30/31: $10,927
Nutter Fort Public Library
Fiscal Year 27/28: $10,000
Fiscal Year 28/29: $10,300
Fiscal Year 29/30: $10,609
Fiscal Year 30/31: $10,927
Harrison County Special Projects
Fiscal Year 27/28: $450,000
Fiscal Year 28/29: $463,500
Fiscal Year 29/30: $477,405
Fiscal Year 30/31: $491,727
Totals
Fiscal Year 27/28: $1,360,000
Fiscal Year 28/29: $1,400,800
Fiscal Year 29/30: $1,442,824
Fiscal Year 30/31: $1,486,108
The additional levy allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027, shall be on Class I property 0.88 cents; on Class II property 1.76 cents; and on Class III and Class IV property 3.52 cents; per $100.00 valuation.
The additional levy allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028, shall be on Class I property 0.91 cents; on Class II property 1.82 cents; and on Class III and Class IV property 3.64 cents; per $100.00 valuation.
The additional levy allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2029, shall be on Class I property 0.94 cents; on Class II property 1.88 cents; and on Class III and Class IV property 3.76 cents; per $100.00 valuation.
The additional levy allowing for 5% delinquencies and 2% discount for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2030, shall be on Class I property 0.96 cents; on Class II property 1.92 cents; and on Class III and Class IV property 3.84 cents; per $100.00 valuation.
That in the event the separate and aggregate assessed valuation of each class of taxable property within the County of Harrison increases during the term of the special levy, the levy rate shall be adjusted so that the projected tax collection will not exceed the maximum sum of: $1,360,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027; $1,400,800 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028; $1,442,824 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2029; and $1,486,108 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2030.
Examples of acceptable usage of funds are as follows: General operating expenses, building, infrastructure, and equipment maintenance and repairs, acquisition and upgrades of equipment, property or structures, improvements and modifications to land and facilities, and matching funds to obtain federal funds or other available funds. The Harrison County Commission will each year provide the amount of funds from the levy to the Clarksburg/Harrison Health Department, Lowe Public Library, Southern Area Public Library, Nutter Fort Public Library, and Harrison County for
Harrison County Special Projects. Funds for the remaining organizations will be distributed by the Clarksburg/Harrison Health Department to each organization in the amounts as set forth in this order.
In the event any of these entities would cease to exist, for whatever reason, or, if the amount of funds collected exceed the approximate amount, the Harrison County Commission will follow all necessary legal and governmental requirements to ensure that any funding previously allocated to said entity may be redistributed to one or more of the remaining entities, on an equitable basis. If the amount of funds collected is less than the anticipated approximate amount, each beneficiarys distribution amount will be reduced equitably.
In the event that sufficient State, Federal, or other special funds become available to provide monies for any of the above purposes, or the Harrison County Commissions anticipated expenses for each stated purpose are lower than projected, the levy monies specified for these purposes may be used for the general operation and improvement of the county. The Harrison County Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to expend, during the term of this Levy, the funds, if any, occurring in excess of the amount needed for any of the above stated purposes for the enrichment, supplementation, improvement and advancement of all county programs, operations and facilities in Harrison County, and other purposes pertinent to the operation of the county.
Harrison 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.
Harrison County Circuit Clerk — Unexpired
What does a circuit clerk do?
The circuit clerk is an officer within the judicial system. In each county, this is the person who performs duties like recording and filing all documents and funds that pertains to cases filed in Circuit and Family Courts. They are elected to six-year terms, and have to be at least 18 years old and a county resident.
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 Harrison County races call the county clerk at (304) 624-8674.
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.