Registration
West Virginia registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.
State Voting Guide
West Virginia Voting Guide
Use this West Virginia voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.
At a Glance
West Virginia voting quick facts
Voter ID
West Virginia is listed as Non-strict photo ID.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 6:30 AM-7:30 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
Voters who cannot make it to the polls during Early Voting or Election Day may be eligible to vote an absentee ballot by mail. If you cannot make it to the polling place because of any of the reasons below, you may apply to your County Clerk for an absentee...
Felony Voting Rights
In West Virginia, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and 2 more.
Register
West Virginia voter registration options
West Virginia voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.
Online Available
You may apply to register to vote or update your information online. Online registration deadline is 21 days before Election Day
- Online registration must be completed 21 days before Election Day.
By Mail Available
If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form to mail
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 21 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
If you prefer to complete your voter registration form by hand, you may download a blank voter registration form deliver in-person.
- In-person registration must be completed 21 days before Election Day.
Click here to get the address and phone number for the board of registrars office in your county
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
national_form
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
Identification
West Virginia voter ID laws
West Virginia voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.
Non-strict photo ID
West Virginia voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.
Code: W. Va. Code § 3-1-34
If you do not have ID
- A voter who cannot provide acceptable identification, or whose identification is determined not to qualify, may cast a provisional ballot after executing an affidavit affirming identity.
- The provisional ballot will count if election officials verify the voter's identity by comparing the signature on the provisional ballot materials with the signature contained in the voter registration record.
- Election officials must also determine that the voter was otherwise eligible to vote at the polling place where the ballot was cast.
Polling Places
West Virginia poll hours
Polling places in West Virginia are generally open 6:30 AM-7:30 PM.
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
Please note that polls are open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM on Election Day. In emergency situations, your polling location may change.
Absentee Voting
West Virginia absentee and mail voting
Voters who cannot make it to the polls during Early Voting or Election Day may be eligible to vote an absentee ballot by mail. If you cannot make it to the polling place because of any of the reasons below, you may apply to your County Clerk for an absentee ballot.
Absentee Voting In West Virginia
Voters who cannot make it to the polls during Early Voting or Election Day may be eligible to vote an absentee ballot by mail. If you cannot make it to the polling place because of any of the reasons below, you may apply to your County Clerk for an absentee ballot.
Absentee Voting Eligibility
Voters who cannot make it to the polls during Early Voting or Election Day may be eligible to vote an absentee ballot by mail. If you cannot make it to the polling place because of any of the reasons below, you may apply to your County Clerk for an absentee ballot.
- I am attending school.
- I am traveling outside of my county for business or personal reasons.
- An injury, illness, physical disability, or advanced age prevents me from accessing my polling place.
- I am incarcerated or serving home confinement for a misdemeanor, and I am legally registered to vote.
- My work hours and distance from the county seat make voting in person impossible.
- A work assignment requires me to temporarily live outside of my county (four years or less).
- Service as an elected or appointed state or federal official requires me to temporarily live outside of my county.
Request an absentee ballot
- You may apply to receive and absentee ballot starting the 84th day before an election, and your county clerk must receive your application by the sixth day before the election.
Eligibility
West Virginia voter eligibility
Please register only if you are an eligible West Virginia resident. If you reside in another state, use USA.gov to find links to your home states registration information. Voter registration before an election closes on the twenty-first day before the election or on the first day thereafter which is not a Saturday...
Age requirements
Voting age: If you’re 17 but will be 18 before the next general election, you can also vote in primary elections.
Registration age: You must be at least 17 and turning 18 before the next election to register.
As stated by West Virginia Code, you are eligible to vote in West Virginia if you are:
- A resident of West Virginia and the county in which you register.
- A U.S. Citizen.
- At least 17 years old, and 18 before the next General Election. (Seventeen year olds may register and vote in primary elections, if they turn 18 by the next General Election.)
- Not currently under conviction for a felony, including probation or parole, or a court ruling of mental incompetence. Voting rights are restored when the term of conviction ends.
Voting Rights
West Virginia felony conviction voting rights
In West Virginia, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.
Lost Until Completion of Sentence; Automatic Restoration After
In West Virginia, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.
Citation: W. Va. Const. Art. IV, § 1; W. Va. Code § 3-1-3
Work and Voting
West Virginia time off for voting
You can request up to 3 hours off from your employer, without taking leave or a deduction of pay, if you do not have at least 3 hours before or after work that you can go to the polls to vote. This request must be made in writing and be given to your employer at least 3 days prior to election day. If you have time...
Time off status: Yes
You can request up to 3 hours off from your employer, without taking leave or a deduction of pay, if you do not have at least 3 hours before or after work that you can go to the polls to vote. This request must be made in writing and be given to your employer at least 3 days prior to election day. If you have time before or after work to go to the polls to vote, this provision does not apply to you.
Can I Request Time Off To Vote?
You can request up to 3 hours off from your employer, without taking leave or a deduction of pay, if you do not have at least 3 hours before or after work that you can go to the polls to vote. This request must be made in writing and be given to your employer at least 3 days prior to election day. If you have time before or after work to go to the polls to vote, this provision does not apply to you.
Lookup
West Virginia voter information lookup
Check Your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, track your absentee ballot, and 1 more.
Moving
West Virginia moving and student voting
At School. Students can establish residency in West Virginia if they have a present intent to remain at their West Virginia school address for the time being, and they intend to make it their principal home.[11] Any other interpretation of the residency laws is unconstitutional. Voting in West Virginia may be a...
Movers and college students Voting
At School. Students can establish residency in West Virginia if they have a present intent to remain at their West Virginia school address for the time being, and they intend to make it their principal home.[11] Any other interpretation of the residency laws is unconstitutional. Voting in West Virginia may be a declaration of residency, potentially making you subject to other laws that govern state residents. For...
College Students
- At School. Students can establish residency in West Virginia if they have a present intent to remain at their West Virginia school address for the time being, and they intend to make it their principal home.[11] Any other interpretation of...
- At Home. Students who lived in West Virginia before moving elsewhere to attend school, and who wish to establish or keep their West Virginia voting residency (i.e., at their parents’ West Virginia address), should have no problem doing so...
- While registering to vote in another state is not automatically considered an abandonment of your West Virginia residency, some judges or officials might view it as such. If you have established residency in another state and are moving...
Movers
- If you moved to West Virginia from another state, you must register to vote in West Virginia to be able to vote.[1] The last day to register in time to vote in the next election is twenty-one days before the election.[2]
- If you moved from out of state, you may register to vote the same day you become a resident of the State of West Virginia. And, under federal law, if you move within thirty days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for...
- If you moved to a new address within the same county, you may file a request for change of address by completing and signing a change of address form.[4] You can do this on Election Day.[5] If you moved to a new address in a different...
Sources
West Virginia official voting resources
Questions
Common West Virginia questions
Can I register to vote online in West Virginia?
West Virginia lists online voter registration as available. You may apply to register to vote or update your information online. Online registration deadline is 21 days before Election Day
What voter ID rule does West Virginia use?
West Virginia is listed as Non-strict photo ID. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in West Virginia?
Polling places in West Virginia are generally open 6:30 AM-7:30 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my West Virginia voter registration or polling place?
The West Virginia voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, track your absentee ballot, and 1 more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.