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Nov 3
West Virginia General Election

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Registration Summary

West Virginia offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in West Virginia by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Voting Summary

West Virginia offers absentee ballots by mail to voters who will be unable to vote in person. All other voters are expected to vote in person. West Virginia offers early voting.

19 days to Election Day!


Register to Vote

Check that you're registered to vote on West Virginia's website.

What key changes should voters know about?

Beginning July 11, 2025, you are required to show photo ID to vote in West Virginia.

This is due to a new law in West Virginia. Visit the West Virginia Secretary of State website or contact your local election office to learn more.

How can I check the status of my mail ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on West Virginia’s website.

How do election officials keep voting secure?

Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Visit the West Virginia Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on West Virginia's site.

Can I vote early?

  • Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
  • Learn more about voting early in West Virginia.
  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check West Virginia’s site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

You will need to show a valid photo ID with your current name and address to vote in West Virginia.

Acceptable forms include:
  • voter registration card that includes the voter’s photograph
  • WV driver's license or other WV ID issued by the DMV
  • driver's license issued by another state
  • US passport or passport card
  • military ID card issued by the US government
  • US or WV government employee ID
  • student ID from a West Virginia higher education institution or high school

An expired form of accepted ID may be used by a voter age 65 or older, as long as that ID was valid on the voter's 65th birthday.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of a current and valid ID when you registered, you'll need to show proof of residence the first time you vote. Acceptable forms include:
  • photo ID
  • current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other current government document that shows your name and address

Voters without ID:
  • If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot and can present ID up until the time of the canvass of votes (5 days after Election Day, excluding Sundays). You may be able to vote a regular ballot if any of the following apply:
  • a poll worker has known you for at least six months before the election
  • an adult who has known you for at least six months accompanies you, shows a valid ID, and signs an affidavit certifying your identity
  • you are a resident of a licensed state care facility, and your polling place is in that facility

Can I register to vote online?

  • West Virginia offers online voter registration.
  • To register online in West Virginia, you need the last four digits of your Social Security number and either a West Virginia Driver’s License or ID card. If you don’t have a West Virginia-issued ID or a Social Security number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.

Can I vote early?

Yes, West Virginia offers early voting.
  • You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

When can I vote early?

Where can I vote early?

  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check West Virginia's site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

You will need to show a valid photo ID with your current name and address to vote in West Virginia.

Acceptable forms include:
  • voter registration card that includes the voter’s photograph
  • WV driver's license or other WV ID issued by the DMV
  • driver's license issued by another state
  • US passport or passport card
  • military ID card issued by the US government
  • US or WV government employee ID
  • student ID from a West Virginia higher education institution or high school

An expired form of accepted ID may be used by a voter age 65 or older, as long as that ID was valid on the voter's 65th birthday.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of a current and valid ID when you registered, you'll need to show proof of residence the first time you vote. Acceptable forms include:
  • photo ID
  • current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other current government document that shows your name and address

Voters without ID:
  • If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot and can present ID up until the time of the canvass of votes (5 days after Election Day, excluding Sundays). You may be able to vote a regular ballot if any of the following apply:
  • a poll worker has known you for at least six months before the election
  • an adult who has known you for at least six months accompanies you, shows a valid ID, and signs an affidavit certifying your identity
  • you are a resident of a licensed state care facility, and your polling place is in that facility

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the West Virginia voter registration form.


Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.

To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:


Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in West Virginia, you must provide your West Virginia driver's license number OR Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)-issued ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. West Virginia will assign you a unique identification number.

Box 7 - Choice of Party: West Virginia recommends that you register with a party to participate in partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in. However, some major parties allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their primary elections.

Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.


If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
  • You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
  • Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.

If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.

How do I vote by mail?

West Virginia allows eligible voters to request a mail ballot. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by mail on West Virginia's site.

How do I get my ballot?

Request your mail-in ballot with a mail ballot application.

What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.

How do I return my ballot?

  • Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
  • You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting your local election office.
  • Find your local election office.
  • If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, be sure to mail your ballot at least one week before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.

What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

What are key deadlines for this election?

Registration deadlines

Absentee ballot deadlines

Voting deadlines

Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?

You will need to show a valid photo ID with your current name and address to vote in West Virginia.

Acceptable forms include:
  • voter registration card that includes the voter’s photograph
  • WV driver's license or other WV ID issued by the DMV
  • driver's license issued by another state
  • US passport or passport card
  • military ID card issued by the US government
  • US or WV government employee ID
  • student ID from a West Virginia higher education institution or high school

An expired form of accepted ID may be used by a voter age 65 or older, as long as that ID was valid on the voter's 65th birthday.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of a current and valid ID when you registered, you'll need to show proof of residence the first time you vote. Acceptable forms include:
  • photo ID
  • current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other current government document that shows your name and address

Voters without ID:
  • If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot and can present ID up until the time of the canvass of votes (5 days after Election Day, excluding Sundays). You may be able to vote a regular ballot if any of the following apply:
  • a poll worker has known you for at least six months before the election
  • an adult who has known you for at least six months accompanies you, shows a valid ID, and signs an affidavit certifying your identity
  • you are a resident of a licensed state care facility, and your polling place is in that facility

How do I see what's on my ballot?

View official ballot information on the West Virginia Secretary of State website, if available.

How do I get help registering to vote?

TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.

Who can register to vote?

To register in West Virginia you must:
  • be a United States citizen
  • live in West Virginia at the address on your application
  • be 18 years old, or to vote in the primary be 17 years old and turning 18 before the general election
  • not be under conviction, probation, or parole for a felony, treason or election bribery
  • not have been judged "mentally incompetent" in a court of competent jurisdiction

How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

West Virginia offers active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens the option to vote an electronic ballot. Visit the West Virginia Secretary of State website to learn more.

These voters can also request an absentee ballot by mail using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). To follow the FPCA process:
  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your local election office.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
  • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in West Virginia. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using West Virginia's voter registration lookup tool.

How do I contact my state election office?

Which election office should I contact?

  • In West Virginia, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
  • The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in West Virginia. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.

How do I contact my local election office?

Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.