Voting in West Virginia

Change My State

Presidential Primary Election

05/14/2024
Election Date
04/23/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (by mail - postmarked)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

05/08/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
05/14/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

Early Voting Dates

05/01/2024
Early Voting Begins
05/11/2024
Early Voting Ends

The upcoming election is a presidential primary. Learn About Presidential Primaries

Polling place hours: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Register to Vote

How to Vote in West Virginia

Learn about all the options to vote in West Virginia to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

West Virginia Board of Elections Phone Number: (304) 558-6000

West Virginia Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in West Virginia

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

West Virginia Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can check your voter registration online on West Virginia’s Board of Elections website here, or you can contact the Board of Elections at (304) 558-6000.

It can take several weeks. Most states send out voter registration cards within 5 to 7 weeks after receiving the registration. If you do not receive a registration card in the mail, contact your state election office to confirm you are registered. Find your state’s contact information in our How to Vote in Your State section on this page! In any event, you should verify your registration a week prior to the voter registration deadline in your state in case you need to fill out a new registration form or correct your form.

Elections take place all the time throughout the year, and odds are, you probably have an election coming up in your state! In addition to the presidential election and midterm elections, you have statewide, countywide and municipal elections that you can make your voice heard in. Make sure you know when your upcoming elections are so that you don’t miss a single one! Check out when your next election is here.

Your state provides an online ballot tracking system. You can track your absentee ballot here!

YES you are able to register to vote at your student address. You should provide your official campus mailing address as well as the actual physical address of your on or off campus residence when registering to vote. You must have some sort of proof of address and residency that can be presented at your polling place (mail, a student ID, etc.). For more information, we suggest visiting your state’s elections office website. Remember: you can only register to vote and vote in one place, whether that is your student address or your home address!

YES, unhoused voters can register to vote and use their voice in West Virginia’s elections. Unhoused voters or voters without a permanent address may list a shelter address, street corner, or park as their address. For more information on voting while unhoused, visit our friends at the National Coalition for the Homeless.

YES. In this case you must register at the last address you had before you left the USA, or at the address to which you will return to when returning to the USA (you must present some indication of a present intent to return and live there – e.g. vehicle registration, driver’s license, property ownership, family, etc). If you have never had a permanent address in the United States but are a citizen you are allowed to register at an address you plan on moving to or an address where you currently have family living. Access more information on voting overseas here.

You may call the voting rights hotline at 866 687-8683, if informing another poll worker isn’t successful. They have lawyers ready to help you. Additionally, you can call the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice. You can also find West Virginia’s elections office here and contact them by phone at (304) 558-6000.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in West Virginia.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

05/08/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
05/14/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

Excuse required to vote by mail.

How Vote By Mail Works in West Virginia

Voting by mail is a two step process in West Virginia.

Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. The deadline for your application to be received is 6 days before Election Day. You must have an excuse to qualify to vote with an absentee ballot.

Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.

  • Return in person to your county clerk's office on or before the day before Election Day.
  • Or mail in your ballot - ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by five days after Election Day to be counted. To make your postmark date, put the ballot into your home mailbox for collection at least one day prior to ensure it is picked up and processed. You can also drop the ballot off at the post office before the last posted collection time on Election Day. We recommend returning ASAP as your ballot must be received within 5 days of Election Day

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

After you complete your ballot, be sure to sign the voter form on outside of envelope No. 2.

Be sure that your signature matches your signature on file with the state! If you registered online or at the DMV, check the signature on your license. If the signature does not match, your ballot could be tossed and will not count.

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, your postage is prepaid.

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office.

Can Someone Else Return Your Ballot For You?

Anyone may return a ballot on your behalf with your permission. Any person may not deliver more than 2 absentee ballots at one time.

Track Your Ballot

Track your ballot by clicking here.

Haven't used your ballot?

If you would like to vote in person, return your unused absentee ballot to your polling site and vote in person on Election Day. The poll workers will destroy your unused ballot in your presence.

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

West Virginia does not offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot. Your ballot will not count if it is late, or you do not follow directions.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

Voters in West Virginia must show ID to cast their vote at the polls.  ID must be valid and unexpired. Valid forms of identification include;

Non-Photo ID:

  • Voter registration card
  • Medicare card
  • Social Security Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Bank or debit card
  • Utility bill/bank statement within 6 months of the election
  • Health Insurance card issued to voter
  • Any document issued by the West Virginia or U.S. government that displays the voter’s name

Photo ID:

  • West Virginia driver’s license or other DMV issued West Virginia ID
  • Driver’s License issued by another state
  • US passport
  • US Military card
  • US or West Virginia government employee ID card
  • Student ID card
  • Concealed carry permit

A full list of acceptable forms of ID, and more information about voting with an ID in West Virginia can be found here.

Voter ID in West Virginia

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Presidential Primaries

Primary Type (D): Mixed
Primary Type (R): Mixed

West Virginia holds semi-closed primaries. Voters must be registered with either the Democratic or Republican parties or unaffiliated with a party to participate. A voter registered with one party is not allowed to vote in a different party’s primary. See West Virginia Republican Party or Democratic Party sites for more details.

In addition to the president, the West Virginia primary election includes the following races:
– U.S. senator
– U.S. representatives
– Governor
– State elected officials
– State legislators
– Judicial races

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at the address on their drivers license or other state issued ID card. If you have moved but have not updated your ID with your new address, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

Early Voting

Early Voting Dates

05/01/2024
Voting Begins
05/11/2024
Voting Ends

You can vote early in West Virginia

Find early voting locations in your county here.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In West Virginia, you can preregister to vote if you are 17. Register to vote today!

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can vote in the West Virginia primaries if you are 17 by the next election.