How to vote in West Virginia

• Register to vote (online): 21 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (by mail): Received by 21 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (in person): 21 days before Election Day

• If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your West Virginia registration using the West Virginia voter registration lookup site.
• If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.

• You can register online if you have a West Virginia driver’s license or non-driver ID card. You must also provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

• Visit the West Virginia online voter registration site.
• Fill out all the required fields.
• You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
• You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
• The deadline to register to vote online is 21 days before Election Day.

1. Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
2. Box 6 - ID Number: Enter your WV driver’s license number. If you do not have a driver’s license number, enter the last four numbers of your social security number. If you do not have either of these numbers, write NONE on the form.
3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You must register with a party if you want to take part in that party’s primary election, caucus, or convention (unless you request the ballot of a party which allows independents to vote).
4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
5. Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
6. Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
7. Your voter registration form must be received by 21 days before Election Day.

• Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
• Bring your West Virginia driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and West Virginia address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.

• You cannot vote while incarcerated.
• You cannot vote while on parole.
• You cannot vote while on probation.
• You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
• Financial obligations:
  • parole fees
  • probation fees
• Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.

• Earliest day to apply: January 1
• Request deadline (online): N/A
• Request deadline (by mail): Received by 6 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (in person): 6 days before Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Postmarked by Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by 1 day BEFORE Election Day

West Virginia does not allow you to request your ballot online.

1. Download the West Virginia absentee ballot application.
2. Fill out all of the required fields.
3. Print the application.
4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
6. If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
7. Your application must be received by 6 days before Election Day.

1. Visit your local election office.
2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
3. Fill out all of the required fields.
4. Sign and date your application.
5. The deadline to apply in person is 6 days before Election Day.

1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office.
4. If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked by Election Day.
5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by 1 day BEFORE Election Day.
6. If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.

• ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:

  No ID is required to submit your absentee ballot request.

• ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:

  Your voted ballot must be signed by one witness who is at least 18 years old. Additionally, if you are a first time voter you must send a copy of a valid photo ID that shows your name and address. If you do not have a valid ID, you can send a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other official government document that contains your name and address.

Track your ballot here: West Virginia absentee ballot tracker

Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.

Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.

Emergency Ballot Rules

Dates & Deadlines

• Emergency ballot request ends NOON Election Day
• Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day

Contact your local election office