How to vote in West Virginia

Registration deadlines, ID, mail and early voting in West Virginia, in plain English, with the official links. The West Virginia Secretary of State, Elections Division is the final word on every rule.

Check your registration Register online Official election office
Register online Yes: By the registration deadline, 21 days before the election (October 13 for the November 3, 2026 election).
Register by mail Postmarked no later than the registration deadline, 21 days before the election; it does not have to be in hand by then.
Register in person At your county clerk's office (or the DMV and other registration agencies) by the 21-day deadline.
Same-day registration No.
Voter ID Show an approved photo ID (such as a WV or other-state driver license, U.S. passport, or military ID) at early voting or on Election Day, with limited exceptions; otherwise you vote a provisional ballot.
Voting by mail Absentee by mail only with a legal reason (such as illness, disability, travel, work hours or school away), requested by the sixth day before the election, postmarked by Election Day and received by the start of canvass.
Early voting In-person early voting runs from the 13th through the 3rd day before the election during business hours, plus the last two Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Checked against the West Virginia election office's website on November 8, 2026. Deadlines are for general elections; primaries, runoffs and local elections can differ. Military and overseas voters have their own rules at FVAP.gov.

Official sources

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