West Virginia

by | Sep 22, 2020 | Voting

West Virginia

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020. 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.

Vote in person

Vote on Election Day

Voters registered in West Virginia can look up where to vote on West Virginia’s site.

Vote early

West Virginia voters can also vote before Election Day. The early voting period runs from Wednesday, October 21, 2020 to Saturday, October 31, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live.

What to bring

  • You will need to show a valid and non-expired ID to vote in West Virginia. Acceptable forms include: voter registration card; 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; concealed carry permit; bank or debit card; utility bill or bank statement issued within 6 months of the date of the election; health insurance card; Medicare card; Social Security card; birth certificate; WV hunting or fishing license; WV SNAP ID card; WV TANF program ID card; WV Medicaid ID card, or other current government document that shows your name.
  • If you’re a first-time voter who registered to vote by mail, you’ll need to show proof of residence to vote. Acceptable forms include: photo ID; or a 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. You may be able to vote a regular ballot if: a poll worker has known you for at least six months prior to the election; an adult accompanying you signs an affidavit certifying your identity; or you are a resident of a licensed state care facility and your polling place is in that facility.

Who can vote

You have to register to vote before Election Day in West Virginia. You can find the deadline to register to vote in the “Dates and deadlines” section.

To register in West Virginia you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • 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
  • *find more information on voting rights restoration here

Vote by mail

  1. Review the absentee ballot application and confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements for voting absentee.
  2. Fill out the application completely.
  3. Submit the request to your local election office. You should request your ballot as far in advance of the election as possible. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is (received by) Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
  4. When your ballot arrives, read it carefully and follow the instructions to complete it and return it.