The candidate filing period in West Virginia for the primary election has officially begun. According to a press release, West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner

The Democratic Party in Wood County expects candidates in all state legislative races, some districts possibly with primary contests, the party chairman said. “We want to get as many Democrats on the ballot as possible,

With several offices up for reelection in West Virginia, there are important dates and deadlines voters should be aware of. According to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website, these are significant dates and deadlines for 2026: For the primary election: For the general election: In 2026,

CHARLESTON — A last-ditch effort by some members of the West Virginia Republican Executive Committee to reopen their May 2026 primary to unaffiliated voters failed, requiring anyone to vote in the GOP primary to be a registered Republican.

Following an investigation by the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, then-Cabell County Prosecutor Sean Hammers declined to prosecute the case. The case was later referred to former Wayne County Prosecutor Matthew Deerfield, who also elected to not pursue an indictment.

Election officials are hoping to educate the public about several changes that will impact the upcoming May primary. The two most significant changes will be the requirement of a photo ID to vote and a decision by the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee that will only allow registered Republicans to vote in the GOP primary.

The number of candidates filing for local and statewide offices continues to grow. Friday marked the fifth day of candidate filings in West Virginia with additional candidates making their campaigns officials in Mercer,

Secretary of State Kris Warner has announced the launch of a statewide contest inviting all West Virginia eighth-grade students to design an “I Voted!” sticker, with the winning design to be distributed in the student’s home county during the 2026 election cycle.

Secretary of State Kris Warner announced the launch of a statewide contest, inviting all West Virginia eighth-graders to design an “I Voted” sticker that will be distributed in their home county during this year’s election cycle.

On Monday, January 12, 2026, Congressman Riley Moore officially filed for re-election to represent West Virginia’s Second Congressional District. Moore is seeking a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We would spend hours, doing ads, and the one thing we came up with halfway through his tenure in the legislature was Paul Prunty, someone who cares,” Alan Prunty, Paul’s younger brother, said. “We thought it was so fitting. We used it for every election after that as our slogan, because he did care.”