Important Dates and Election Information
- Deadline to Register to Vote: Tuesday, Oct. 15
- Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot: Wednesday, Oct. 30
- Early Voting: Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Nov. 1, during business hours, with mandatory hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Nov. 2
- Deadline to Receive Absentee Ballot by Mail (Postmarked by Election Day): Tuesday, Nov. 12
- General Election: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Quick Overview of Voting
Voter Registration
To check your registration status, use the secretary of state’s online tool.
Absentee Voting
Registered voters who meet eligibility criteria, such as being ill, disabled, or out of the county, can vote absentee.
Early Voting
All registered voters can vote early in person. Locations and hours will be posted on the state elections website closer to the date, or you can contact your county clerk’s office for more details.
Voting at the Polls
Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Use the secretary of state’s online tool or contact your county clerk’s office to find your polling place. Don’t forget to bring an approved ID.
How to Register to Vote
If you get or renew a driver’s license in person at the Division of Motor Vehicles, you’ll be automatically registered to vote, unless you opt out.
You can also register:
Online
Use the state’s online portal. You’ll need your West Virginia driver’s license or ID card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
By Mail
Fill out a registration form online and print it, or download a blank form to complete by hand. Sign the form and deliver it to your county clerk’s office by mail or in person. You can also call the state elections office to request a registration form by mail.
In Person
Register at your county clerk’s office or a voter registration agency, like an armed services recruitment office.
The deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 15, by 11:59 p.m. for online applications and by close of business for in-person applications. Mail applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, Oct. 15.
If you’re a first-time voter registering by mail or in person, you must provide an approved ID, such as a current photo ID, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document showing your name and current address. If you don’t submit an ID when registering, you’ll be asked to show one before voting at the polls.
Registering to Vote on Election Day
West Virginia does not allow voters to register on Election Day.
Check Your Voter Registration Status
You can check your registration status using the secretary of state’s online tool.
How to Request an Absentee Ballot
Registered voters who meet eligibility criteria, such as illness, disability, or being out of the county, can vote absentee.
How to Get an Application
- Online: Download and print an application.
- By Phone: Call the state elections office to request an application be mailed to you.
- In Person: Pick up an application from your county clerk’s office.
Complete the application, sign it, and return it by mail, email, fax, or in person to your county clerk. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted starting Tuesday, Aug. 13. The deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 30, by close of business if returning in person, or by 11:59 p.m. if returning online, by email, or by fax. Applications returned by mail must be postmarked by Wednesday, Oct. 30.
You must submit a new absentee ballot application for each election, unless you qualify for the Permanent Absentee Voting List, which is for voters with a permanent physical disability or those participating in the state’s Address Confidentiality Program.
Returning Your Absentee Ballot
You can return your absentee ballot:
By Mail
Mail your completed ballot to your county clerk’s office using the provided, postage-paid envelope. Ballots without a postmark must be received by Wednesday, Nov. 6. Ballots postmarked by Election Day will be accepted up until Tuesday, Nov. 12.
In Person
Return your ballot in person to your county clerk’s office by close of business on Monday, Nov. 4.
First-time voters must include a copy of an approved ID showing your current name and address with your completed ballot.
Track your absentee ballot using the secretary of state’s online tracking tool.
Voting in Person Before Election Day
All registered voters can vote early at their county courthouse, annex, or designated community voting location. Early voting runs from Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Nov. 1, during business hours, with mandatory hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Nov. 2. Find locations and hours closer to the date on the secretary of state’s website, or contact your county clerk’s office.
Voting at the Polls on Election Day
Polling hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Use the secretary of state’s online tool to find your polling place.
For sample ballots, use the state’s Voter Sample Ballot Lookup tool.
Voter ID Requirements on Election Day
Voters must present an approved form of ID, such as:
- Driver’s license
- U.S. passport
- Birth certificate
- West Virginia hunting or fishing license
- Voter registration card
Exemptions are available for residents of state-run long-term care facilities, voters accompanied by an adult who has known them for at least six months, and voters who are known by a poll worker for at least six months. If you cannot obtain an approved ID, you can apply for a free voter ID card at your county clerk’s office.
New voters who haven’t provided ID when registering must show ID at the polls or with their absentee ballot.
Voting with a Disability
Voters with physical disabilities who can’t vote in person may vote absentee. Those who can’t mark their ballot without assistance may apply to vote electronically. The electronic ballot must be returned no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
All polling locations are equipped with accessible voting equipment. Voters with approved reasons, like blindness or a disability, can get assistance from two poll workers or a person of their choice. However, this person cannot be your employer, an agent of your employer, an officer of your union, or a candidate on the ballot.
Curbside voting is available for certain voters. Learn more about options for voters with disabilities on the secretary of state’s website.
