In West Virginia, you can cast your vote several ways: in-person early voting, mailing an absentee ballot or voting in-person on Election Day.
With early voting now underway, here’s a rundown of answers to the questions you might have as you head to the polls:
What’s on my ballot?
There are hundreds of names on ballots across West Virginia’s 55 counties as well as a constitutional amendment. They include candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as county commissioner roles.
All 100 seats in the West Virginia House of Delegates are up for election, and half of the seats in the state Senate. Our voter guide has information about national, statewide and many county races.
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”.
Noncitizens are already blocked from voting in West Virginia elections under state code. If more than 50% of voters approve this amendment, this would add the prohibition to the state Constitution.
What are the deadlines for early voting and absentee voting in West Virginia?
Early in-person voting starts Oct. 21 and goes through Oct. 31. Every county has at least one location where you can vote during this period, generally the county courthouse or judicial annex. Find early voting locations in your county on the West Virginia Secretary of State website and call your county clerk’s office for more information.
If you plan to vote absentee, you must request an absentee ballot by the sixth day before the election, which is Oct. 28. It must be postmarked by Election Day (Nov. 3) and received no later than 5 days after Election Day (Nov. 8) to be counted.
Certain absentee voters with physical disabilities may be eligible to receive an absentee ballot electronically. Check your eligibility here.
You can track your absentee ballot on the Secretary of State’s website.
What if I need a reminder of the candidates’ names when I’m in the voting booth?
Voters may bring sample ballots and voting guides into the booth with them, said David Cook, general counsel for the Secretary of State’s office. You can check the rules with your local election office here.
State law prohibits voters from bringing into the polling booth “any recording or electronic device in order to record or interfere with the voting process.” That means no selfies in the voting booth.
Cook confirmed there is no prohibition on bringing cell phones into voting booths, as long as voters don’t use them to take photos or videos or to communicate with anyone.
But don’t plan to do all your research on candidates on your phone in the voting booth — technically, voters are not supposed to spend more than five minutes in the booth.
What do I need to bring to the polls with me?
When you check in with poll workers you will be required to provide your name, address and a form of identification. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Driver’s license
- Student ID card with photo from a WV institution of higher education or a WV high school
- Voter registration card
- U.S. Passport
- …and many other forms of state-issued identification
If you’re a first time voter, you’ll need to show ID with your voter registration application. According to the Secretary of State, only these types of ID will be accepted:
- Valid photo identification
- Utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Any other official government document
What if a poll worker challenges my right to vote?
If you run into issues at your polling place and are unable to vote, poll workers are required to offer you a provisional ballot.
If your issues stem from a lack of ID, you can present your identification at your county clerk’s office within five days of the election and your ballot will be counted.
Otherwise, the Board of Canvassers will review your ballot and determine whether your ballot is eligible to be counted.
You can track your provisional ballot on the Secretary of State’s website.
If someone tries to intimidate or harass you, tell a poll worker right away. If the poll worker is the problem, call your County Clerk’s office.
Can I assist another voter?
State code says voters who might need help voting because of “blindness, disability, advanced age or inability to read and write” can get assistance filling out their ballot.
Voters who need help can choose from just about anyone they choose; state code disqualifies only current or former employers or labor union officers or agents and candidates in the current election. Before they provide assistance, the helper will need to sign an oath stating they won’t override the preference of the voter.
Poll workers, if asked, can also help a voter fill out their ballot; they just need to be of opposite political parties.
Where can I see West Virginia election results? How soon will they start reporting election results?
Polls are open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Mountain State Spotlight will have real-time election results starting the evening of November 3 after polls close.
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