2026 Voting Guides

West Virginia voting guide

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Here’s what you need to vote in West Virginia.

Check Your Registration

Even if you voted last time, check that you’re still registered. Check your registration

Register by:
  • Online, by mail, or in person: Tues., Oct. 13

Key Dates

  • Last day to register to vote (all methods)
  • Early in-person voting begins
  • Emergency absentee voting begins (hospitalized/confined voters)
  • Absentee ballot applications must be received by county clerk
  • Early in-person voting ends
  • Last day to hand-deliver an absentee ballot to the county clerk
  • Election Day (polls 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.); mailed ballots must be postmarked today
  • Absentee ballots without a postmark accepted if received today
  • Canvass begins; last day for postmarked absentee ballots to arrive

Your Voting Checklist

  • Vote early in person from Wed., Oct. 21 to Sat., Oct. 31.
  • Vote by mail. You can vote by mail if you are:
    • Sick, hurt, or another medical reason
    • Disabled or very old and can't get around
    • In jail or home detention, but not for a felony
    • Your work hours and distance from the county seat
    • Your early voting site and polling place are not accessible
    • Traveling for work or personal reasons
    • Away at college or job training
    • Living outside your county for now
    • Serving as a state or federal official

    Request a ballot by Wed., Oct. 28. Request a mail ballot
    Return it by Tues., Nov. 3.
  • Vote on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 3, 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. local time. Find your polling place
  • Bring the right ID. You must show a valid photo ID to vote in person.
    • West Virginia driver's license or state ID
    • Driver's license from another state
    • U.S. passport or passport card
    • Government employee photo ID
    • Photo student ID from a West Virginia college or high school
    • U.S. military ID with photo
    • Photo voter card from your county clerk
    • DMV ID without a photo, for religious reasons
    No ID? A poll worker or an adult who has known you six months can vouch for you, or you can vote a provisional ballot. See the official ID rules
  • Review your sample ballot before you go.
  • Have a past conviction?
    • You can't vote while serving a felony sentence, including probation or parole.
    • Once your full sentence is done, register again and you can vote.
    • A misdemeanor does not take away your right to vote.
  • Make a plan and bring three people. Make a plan

What’s on Your Ballot

These are the biggest races in West Virginia this year. Please note, we do not endorse any candidates.

U.S. Senate

  • Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic · Campaign site
  • Public interest attorney and former Morgantown City Council member.
  • Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent · Campaign site
  • U.S. senator since 2015; chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; former U.S. House member.

Stance on key issues

Voting rights & elections

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

No public position found.

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Supports the SAVE Act, which would require photo ID to vote and proof of citizenship to register in federal elections. Source

Policing, prisons & public safety

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

No public position found.

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Helped write the 2020 JUSTICE Act police reform bill. Has said reform means "improving the police," not defunding them. Source

Immigration

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

No public position found.

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Co-sponsored and voted for the Laken Riley Act, which requires ICE to detain immigrants without legal status who are charged with theft-type crimes. Source

Abortion & health care

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

Has said all adults have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. Says the country must invest in Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. Source

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Voted against the 2022 Women's Health Protection Act. Said it went beyond Roe v. Wade and would override state abortion limits. Source

Economy, taxes & cost of living

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

Supports a higher tax rate on income over $500,000 a year. Says investing in infrastructure helps industry grow. Source

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Voted for the 2025 tax and spending law that extended tax cuts and changed Medicaid and SNAP. Has said tariffs cause some pain now but will help workers. Source

Workers & wages

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

Supports stronger unions and higher wages. Opposes right-to-work laws. Source

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Co-sponsored a 2021 bill to slowly raise the federal minimum wage, tied to required E-Verify checks. Source

Housing

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

Lists housing development and support among her campaign priorities. Source

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

No public position found.

Schools

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

Has said providing public education services should be a priority. Source

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Supports the federal Charter Schools Program and Title I and special education grants. Has said schools need more local control. Source

Civil rights, DEI & LGBTQ+ rights

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

Supports adding the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. Source

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Voted for the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act, which protects same-sex marriage, after religious liberty protections were added. Source

Climate & environmental justice

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

Has said it is in our interest to protect the environment. Supports investment in sustainable energy. Source

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Praised the EPA's 2026 repeal of the 2009 finding used to regulate greenhouse gases. Said rules based on it were never approved by Congress. Source

Books, press & public media

Rachel Fetty Anderson Democratic

No public position found.

Shelley Moore Capito Republican, incumbent

Voted for the 2025 rescissions package that ended federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Source

Ballot measures

  • Amendment 1: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in West Virginia Elections Amendment. Changes the state constitution to say that only U.S. citizens who are citizens of West Virginia may vote in elections held in the state. Placed on the ballot by the Legislature (Senate Joint Resolution 9).
    Yes means the state constitution will say only U.S. citizens who live in West Virginia may vote in any election in the state.
    No means the constitution's voting language stays as it is now. State and federal law already limit voting in state and federal elections to U.S. citizens.

Protect the Vote

  • Apply to be a poll worker and support free and fair elections.
  • Watch the count. Take a training to learn how to observe the polls.
  • If anyone tries to stop you from voting or something at your polling place seems wrong:
    • Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
    • Call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) (Spanish)
    • Call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) (Asian languages)
    • Call 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) (Arabic)
    • Call WV Secretary of State: 866-767-8683
    • If you’re in line when polls close, stay in line. You can still vote.
    • If your name isn’t on the list, ask for a provisional ballot.
    • Know your rights

Organizations to Support

Anti-Racism Daily will never tell you who to vote for and does not endorse candidates. Information here has been pulled from the internet and may be inaccurate. Please fact-check your sources. If you spot a mistake, please let us know so we can fix it.

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