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 Jackson County
In Jackson 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 Jackson County, call the county clerk at 304-373-2250.
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 Jackson 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 4
On the Record: Candidates did not respond to Mountain State Spotlight’s survey.
Senate District 8
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 16
On the Record: Candidates did not respond to Mountain State Spotlight’s survey.
House District 17
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
Jackson County levy
School levy
Special election to authorize additional levies for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2029; July 1, 2030; July 1, 2031; July 1, 2032; and July 1, 2033; for the purposes set forth as follows:
1. That the purposes for which additional funds are needed and the annual approximate amount for such purposes after due allowances for exonerations, delinquencies, etc., are as follows:
A. To provide funds to repair, improve, and maintain the existing Board owned motor vehicles and where necessary to purchase new and additional motor vehicles in order to facilitate a safe and efficient school system at the rate of
five percent (5%) of the total annual additional levy proceeds, for an approximate annual cost of $688,380
B. To provide funds to distribute free textbooks and workbooks to all students in the Jackson County School District, and to supply and equip elementary and secondary schools at the rate of ten percent (10%) of the total annual additional levy proceeds, for an approximate annual cost of $1,376,760
C. To provide funds to repair, improve, add to, and maintain all school facilities, to defray utility costs, and to provide funds for land and for the construction of buildings thereon or upon any land now owned by the Board of Education at
the rate of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total annual additional levy proceeds, for an approximate annual cost of $3,441,901
D. To provide funds for the employment of additional school system personnel to meet the needs of the school system and to maintain and/or increase the present supplement to the state basic salary scale and provide benefits for all school personnel at the rate of sixty percent (60%) of the total annual additional levy
proceeds, for an approximate annual cost of $8,260,563
2. That the total approximate amounts needed during the term of this five-year (5) levy after due allowances for exonerations, delinquencies, etc., for said purposes is approximately $68,838,020
All according to the order of the Board of Education of the County of Jackson entered on the 23rd day of July, 2026.
The additional levy shall be on Class I property 22.95 cents; on Class II property 45.90
cents; on Class III property 91.80 cents; and on Class IV property 91.80 cents. Such additional levies shall be based on each one hundred dollars valuation of Classes I, II, III, and IV property.
Jackson 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.
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 Jackson County races call the county clerk at 304-373-2250.
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.