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Voting in your state

Voting in West Virginia, 2026

Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.

Right nowEarly voting is open in West Virginia through Saturday, October 31.Election Day in 7 days

Every date, in order

  1. Tue, Oct 13 · passed
    Registration deadline
    Register by Tuesday October 13, 2026, 21 days before Election Day.1
  2. Wed, Oct 21 · passed
    Early voting begins
  3. Sat, Oct 31 · 4 days
    Early voting ends
    Early voting runs from Wednesday October 21 through Saturday October 31, 2026.1
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
    Election Day
  5. Mon, Nov 9 · 13 days
    Mail ballots must arrive; County/Local certification
    Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day count if received by Monday November 9, 2026, since the fifth day after falls on a Sunday. County/Local results must be certified by Monday, November 9, 2026. County boards of canvassers meet on the fifth day after the election, excluding Sundays. They may adjourn "no longer than absolutely necessary." After canvassing the returns, the board publicly declares the results. There is a period of 48 hours. (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) after the declaration before results are certified (W. Va. Code § 3-6-9(A)). Certificates must be transmitted to the secretary of state and governor within 30 days of the election, or if there is a recount, within 30 days of the completion of the recount. (W. Va. Code § 3-6-11)[2026-10-18 ada: source moved to NCSL's Election Certif13
  6. Thu, Dec 3 · 37 days
    County/Local canvass; State certification
    Counties canvass within 30 days of the election, by December 3. The state certifies the results by Thursday, December 3, 2026. For presidential electors and members of Congress: After receiving results from county commissioners within 30 days after the election, the governor ascertains who is elected and makes a proclamation thereof (W. Va. Code §3-6-11).23
  7. After certification
    Deadline to contest the result
    A contestant must give notice within 10 days after the election is certified.4

Questions people ask about voting in West Virginia

Q. When does early voting end in West Virginia?

Early voting runs from Wednesday October 21 through Saturday October 31, 2026.

Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in West Virginia?

Register by Tuesday October 13, 2026, 21 days before Election Day.

Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in West Virginia?

Absentee applications must be received by Wednesday October 28, 2026, 6 days before Election Day.

Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in West Virginia?

Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day count if received by Monday November 9, 2026, since the fifth day after falls on a Sunday.

Q. Who certifies the election in West Virginia, and by when?

The county commission, serving as the board of canvassers, meets 5 days after the election, not counting Sunday, to canvass the results. County/Local results must be certified by Monday, November 9, 2026. County boards of canvassers meet on the fifth day after the election, excluding Sundays. They may adjourn "no longer than absolutely necessary." After canvassing the returns, the board publicly declares the results. There is a period of 48 hours. (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) after the declaration before results are certified (W. Va. Code § 3-6-9(A)). Certificates must be transmitted to the secretary of state and governor within 30 days of the election, or if there is a recount, within 30 days of the completion of the recount. (W. Va. Code § 3-6-11)[2026-10-18 ada: source moved to NCSL's Election Certif County certificates go to the Secretary of State (delegates, state senators and state officers) or to the Governor (U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Supreme Court, circuit judge and president) within thirty days of the election; the Governor ascertains who is elected to those federal and judicial offices and makes proclamation, and the Secretary of State delivers the certificates for state officers to the Speaker of the House, who opens and publishes them before a majority of each house of the Legislature (W. Va. Code 3-6-11). The state certifies the results by Thursday, December 3, 2026. For presidential electors and members of Congress: After receiving results from county commissioners within 30 days after the election, the governor ascertains who is elected and makes a proclamation thereof (W. Va. Code §3-6-11).

Q. What happens after the count in West Virginia, and when is there a recount?

A candidate may request a recount within 48 hours after the county canvass, and pays unless the recount changes the result.

Q. How long is there to contest an election in West Virginia?

A contestant must give notice within 10 days after the election is certified.

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Sources

  1. Vote.org, West Virginia Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/west-virginia/
  2. NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
  3. NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
  4. NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
  5. NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
  6. W. Va. Code 3-6-11, https://code.wvlegislature.gov/3-6-11/

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