West Virginia

Land Acknowledgement

West Virginia is not home to any federally recognized tribes, but it is the traditional homeland of many tribes.

Overview

You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person. The deadline to register is October 18. You must provide a valid photo ID when voting.

Key Dates

October 18 – Voter registration deadline

October 26 – Early voting begins

November 2 – Deadline to request an absentee ballot

November 5 – Early voting ends November 8 – Election Day!

Contacts

West Virginia Voting Guide

Note: The information below is not legal advice on how to vote. Because voting information is changing rapidly during this election, make sure you check the links provided and check with your state about deadlines and voting specifics.

Registering to Vote

  • The deadline to register to vote is October 18.

  • No.

  • You must provide your driver’s license or State ID number. If you do not have a driver’s license or State ID, you can provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have any of these numbers, you can enter the word “NONE,” on your application and a voter ID number will be assigned to you.

  • West Virginia requires you to provide the address where you live.

  • Contact your County Clerk. Find their information here.

  • You can get a driver's license or State ID from the Division of Motor Vehicles. Find information here.

  • Yes. If you have a West Virginia driver's license or State ID and a Social Security Number, you can register to vote online here.

  • No.

  • Yes. You can register to vote in person at your County Clerk's office. Find their information here.

  • Yes. You can download and print a voter registration form and mail it to your County Clerk's office. Find the registration form here. Find County mailing addresses here.

  • Yes. You can download and print a voter registration form and mail it to your County Circuit Clerk office. Find the registration form and mailing addresses here.

  • Yes. If you have been convicted of a felony, bribery in an election, or treason, you can vote when you have completed your sentence, including probation and parole. A person in jail for a misdemeanor conviction may apply for an absentee ballot by mail or vote in person, if circumstances permit.

  • Contact your County Clerk. Find their information here.

  • The deadline to register to vote is October 18.

  • Yes, under federal law you can assist someone in registering to vote if they do not speak English well, if they have trouble reading or writing, or if they have a disability.

Checking & Updating Voter Registration

Voting by Mail/Absentee/Ballot Drop-Off

  • You can request an absentee ballot by mail or in person. You must provide a reason to request an absentee ballot. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 2.

  • Yes. Please check that you have filled out all required fields and signed your ballot. USPS recommends you mail in your ballot a week before the deadline to ensure your ballot is received on time. However, please factor in your personal experience with mail delivery times to and from your place of residence or where you drop off your ballot.

  • You can request an absentee ballot by completing the absentee ballot application and submitting it in person or by mail to your County Clerk's office. Find the application here. Find County Clerk mailing addresses here.

  • Yes. Approved reasons for requesting an absentee ballot include illness or injury, incarceration or detention in jail, inability to vote on Election Day due to employment, personal business or travel, or attendance at college.

  • Yes.

  • The deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 2.

  • West Virginia will send out absentee ballots beginning September 23.

  • You can have your ballot sent to any mailing address that you supply on your mail-in ballot application.

  • No.

  • All absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than November 14.

  • Yes. If you choose to drop off your ballot, it must be delivered in person by November 7. Find your County Clerk office here.

  • Yes. You may have anyone deliver your absentee ballot for you. However, under West Virginia law a person is only allowed to deliver two ballots.

  • No.

  • No.

  • No.

  • Yes. If the signature on your ballot does not match the one on file, your ballot may be thrown out.

  • Yes. You can track your absentee ballot here.

  • Contact your County Clerk with issues about your mail-in ballot. Find their information here.

Voting In-Person

  • Find your polling location here.

  • No.

  • Early voting is available from October 26 to November 5. Times and dates vary by location. Find a complete list of early voting locations and hours here.

  • Yes. Acceptable identification includes a voter registration card, driver's license, State ID, military ID, bank or debit card, concealed carry permit, utility bill, or Social Security Card.

  • You can get a driver's license or State ID from the Division of Motor Vehicles. Find information here.

  • Yes. You may be asked to vote a provisional ballot if your eligibility to vote is challenged. You can track the status of your provisional ballot here.

  • Yes. Under federal law (Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act), you are entitled to bring anyone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, to the polling place AND into the polling booth to assist with voting. However, that person may not be your employer, running in the election, or a representative of your labor union. The person giving assistance also may not tell the voter how to vote.

  • Contact your County Clerk if you have any questions about voting in person. Find their information here:.