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West Virginia elections in 2026

This page lists West Virginia statewide election dates, voter registration deadlines, absentee and early voting timelines, poll hours, and official election resources.

At a glance​

Register to vote in West Virginia​

Start with the official West Virginia voter registration page. The section below highlights registration methods and the deadlines tied to the next statewide election on this page.

West Virginia voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.

Upcoming registration deadlines​

  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form deliver in-person.
  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form to mail.
  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: You may apply to register to vote or update your information online. Online registration deadline is 21 days before Election Day.

Online​

You may apply to register to vote or update your information online. Online registration deadline is 21 days before Election Day

Eligibility or requirements

  • Must meet state voter registration eligibility requirements.

Deadlines

By Mail​

If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form to mail

Deadlines

In Person​

If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form deliver in-person.

Deadlines

Special registration options​

Military Overseas: Available

You may simultaneously register to vote and request an absentee ballot by submitting the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) You may also register to vote online or by mail using the West Virginia Voter Registration Application

Additional registration notes​

Other Registration Option

The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.

Registration Status

Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site

Absentee and early voting in West Virginia​

These absentee and early voting deadlines are tied to the next statewide election listed on this page. Local procedures can vary, so confirm final details with your local election office.

  • May 2, 2026 — Deadline to Hand-Deliver Absentee Ballots to the County Clerk’s Office: The last day for the County Clerk to accept hand delivered absentee ballots by mail is no later than 1 day preceding the election. No person may personally deliver more than two absentee ballots in any election. - W. Va. Code § 3-3-5(k)
  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form to mail.
  • October 21, 2026 — Early Voting In Person Begins: Early voting starts 13 days before Election Day. voters can vote early at the county courthouse, courthouse annex, or a designated community voting location during regular business hours. In addition, early voting must be available from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. on the last two Saturdays before the General Election. - W. Va. Code § 3-3-3
  • October 28, 2026 — Deadline for Absentee by Mail Application: County clerks must receive absentee ballot applications from voters no later than the 6 th day before the election. The County Clerk must mail ballots within one business day of receiving an absentee application from an eligible voter - W. Va. Code § 3-3-5(b)(1), 3-3-5(e)(1)
  • October 31, 2026 — Deadline for Early Voting in Person: Early voting ends three business days before election.
  • November 3, 2026 — Absentee Ballots Received Electronically from Eligible Voters Accepted: No later than the close of polls Election Day, accept absentee ballots submitted electronically by eligible military and overseas voters, eligible first responders, and eligible voters with physical disabilities. - W. Va. Code § 3-3-5(i)

Voter ID requirements in West Virginia​

Review the current voter ID rules before you vote: West Virginia voter ID requirements.

West Virginia election dates for 2026​

Primary Election — May 12, 2026​

Statewide and Federal primaries are held on the second Tuesday in May of each even-numbered year to select the nominees of the major political parties for partisan offices - WV ST § 3-5-1

Important dates​

  • April 21, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form deliver in-person.
  • April 21, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form to mail.
  • April 21, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: You may apply to register to vote or update your information online. Online registration deadline is 21 days before Election Day.
  • April 29, 2026 — Early Voting In Person Begins: Early voting starts 13 days before Election Day. voters can vote early at the county courthouse, courthouse annex, or a designated community voting location during regular business hours. In addition, early voting must be available from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. on the last two Saturdays before the Primary Election. - W. Va. Code § 3-3-3
  • May 6, 2026 — Deadline for Absentee Ballot Applications: County clerks must receive absentee ballot applications from voters no later than the 6 th day before the election. The County Clerk must mail ballots within one business day of receiving an absentee application from an eligible voter. - W. Va. Code § 3-3-5(b)(1), 3-3-5(e)(1)
  • May 9, 2026 — Deadline for Early Voting in Person: Early voting ends three business days before election.
  • May 11, 2026 — Deadline to Hand-Deliver Absentee Ballot to the Clerk’s Office: The last day for County Clerk to accept hand delivered absentee ballots by mail is no later than 1 day preceding the election. No person may personally deliver more than two absentee ballots in any election. - W. Va. Code § 3-3-5(k)

General Election — November 3, 2026​

November General election is held the Tuesday after the first Monday of November

Important dates​

  • May 2, 2026 — Deadline to Hand-Deliver Absentee Ballots to the County Clerk’s Office: The last day for the County Clerk to accept hand delivered absentee ballots by mail is no later than 1 day preceding the election. No person may personally deliver more than two absentee ballots in any election. - W. Va. Code § 3-3-5(k)
  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form deliver in-person.
  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form to mail.
  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: You may apply to register to vote or update your information online. Online registration deadline is 21 days before Election Day.
  • October 21, 2026 — Early Voting In Person Begins: Early voting starts 13 days before Election Day. voters can vote early at the county courthouse, courthouse annex, or a designated community voting location during regular business hours. In addition, early voting must be available from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. on the last two Saturdays before the General Election. - W. Va. Code § 3-3-3
  • October 28, 2026 — Deadline for Absentee by Mail Application: County clerks must receive absentee ballot applications from voters no later than the 6 th day before the election. The County Clerk must mail ballots within one business day of receiving an absentee application from an eligible voter - W. Va. Code § 3-3-5(b)(1), 3-3-5(e)(1)
  • October 31, 2026 — Deadline for Early Voting in Person: Early voting ends three business days before election.
  • November 3, 2026 — Absentee Ballots Received Electronically from Eligible Voters Accepted: No later than the close of polls Election Day, accept absentee ballots submitted electronically by eligible military and overseas voters, eligible first responders, and eligible voters with physical disabilities. - W. Va. Code § 3-3-5(i)

Official West Virginia election resources​

Use these official and state-specific resources to confirm dates, registration rules, absentee voting requirements, voter ID rules, and local procedures.

What may vary locally​

Election dates, voter registration deadlines, early voting, absentee voting, and voting hours apply to statewide elections in most cases. However, Check with your Town Clerk for the hours of voting, and voter registration deadlines as they vary by town. Please be advised that these dates are updated regularly but are subject to scheduling changes at the local level.