West Virginia
1 Check ID Rules
IDs for Voting in Person
Option 1: Show Photo ID
Your ID:
- Must have your name and photo.
- Cannot be expired.
- Does not need your current address.
You can show:
- West Virginia driver’s license
- West Virginia state ID card
- US passport or passport card
- Student ID from West Virginia high school or institution of higher education
- Military identification
- Employee ID issued by US, West Virginia, or local government
- Voter registration card with photo (issued by your county)
New in 2026! West Virginia no longer accepts these IDs: voter registration cards without photo, US birth certificates, hunting or fishing licenses, public assistance program IDs (SNAP/Medicaid/TANF), bank or debit cards, utility bills, bank statements, health insurance cards, or concealed carry permits
Option 2: Confirm Your Identity Another Way
You can vote without photo ID if:
Another adult confirms your identity
An adult who knows you can come to the polls and confirm your identity.
They must:
- Have known you for at least six months
- Show a photo ID with their name and address
- Sign a legal statement (called an affidavit) verifying your identity
A poll worker knows you
A poll worker can also verify your identity:
- Must have known you for at least six months
- Does not need to sign a legal statement or show ID
You are voting at a care facility where you live
If you live in a licensed state care facility that is also your assigned polling place, you do not need to show ID to vote there.
Option 3: Ask for a Provisional Ballot
If you can’t show an accepted photo ID or confirm your identity another way, ask to vote using a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots are a backup option to make sure eligible voters are not turned away.
Your provisional ballot counts if:
- Your signature on the envelope matches the one on file.
or
- You return to your polling place with ID on Election Day.
- You bring ID to your municipal clerk’s office by 4PM on the Friday following the election.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in West Virginia?
You still have options if you do not have an accepted ID.
Confirm your identity another way
- You do not need ID if you meet one of these exceptions.
Vote a Provisional Ballot
- Go to your assigned voting location.
- Ask to vote a provisional ballot and sign it.
- Confirm your ballot counts.
Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in West Virginia?
You must show a physical ID at the polls.
You cannot use an image, copy, digital, or mobile ID.
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in West Virginia?
You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in West Virginia:.
“REAL ID” is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards.
How to get a “REAL ID” in West Virginia:
- You must appear in person to apply for your driver’s license or ID card.
- You must bring a variety of documents to prove your identity.
- Visit the West Virginia DMV website to check what you need.
IDs for Voting by Mail
Only some West Virginia voters can vote by mail. You must request an absentee ballot.
Most voters do not need to provide ID to vote by mail in West Virginia.
First-Time Voters Need ID
If you are voting by mail and voting for the first time:
- Include a copy of an accepted ID with your ballot
- ID must show your name and current address
You can send a copy of:
- Photo ID (cannot be expired)
- Utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Other government document
2 Register
Who can vote in West Virginia?
You need to register before you can vote in West Virginia.
You can vote in West Virginia if you meet these requirements:
- You are a citizen of the United States.
- You are a resident of West Virginia.
- You are at least 18 years of age on Election Day.
You cannot register to vote in West Virginia if:
- You are serving a sentence (including parole or probation) for a felony conviction.
- You are under a court order that takes away your right to vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register to vote in West Virginia if I have been convicted of a crime?
Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.
To check your eligibility to register in West Virginia, visit Restore Your Vote.
Can I register to vote in West Virginia if I attend college in West Virginia?
College students are allowed to vote using their West Virginia school residence address.
You can decide whether to register in your home state or where you attend school.
You may only be registered and vote in one location.
How to Register
Required ID Information
You have to verify your identity when you register to vote!
If you have a driver’s license or state ID card:
- Give your license or ID number on the registration form.
If you do not have either ID:
- Give the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
- Don’t have a Social Security number? Leave this part of the form blank.
If you do not provide an ID number when you register, be ready to show an accepted ID the first time you vote.
Register to Vote Online
You can use this form to register in West Virginia online.
Other Voter Registration Options
- Complete a registration form and send via mail.
- Visit your local election office or a voter registration agency to register in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register and vote on the same day in West Virginia?
No, West Virginia does not allow you to register and vote on the same day.
Check West Virginia’s registration deadlines here!.
If the registration deadline for an upcoming election has passed, you can still apply to register. Your registration will be processed, and you will be registered to vote in future elections.
How do I fix or update my voter registration information?
If you cannot find your registration information or if any details are incorrect:
- Update your name, address, or political party affiliation by submitting a new registration.
- Contact your local election office if you have questions or need to make other changes.
Register to Vote in West Virginia
Don’t have a state-issued ID? VoteRiders is here to help!
3 Vote
Voting in Person
West Virginia requests ID to vote in person.
There are several options for voting without an accepted ID.
Most voters do not need a copy of their ID to vote by mail in West Virginia.
Voting by Mail
Only certain voters are eligible to vote absentee in West Virginia
Most voters do not need a copy of their ID to vote by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to vote by mail in West Virginia?
You may vote by absentee ballot by mail in West Virginia if:
- You will be absent from the county during both the early voting period and Election Day because of personal or business travel or attendance at a college, university or other place of education or training
- Your employment makes voting in person impossible because of the hours worked and distance from the county seat
- You are confined to a specific location and prevented from voting in person due to an illness, injury, other medical reason, physical disability, or advanced age
- You are incarcerated or detained in jail or at home on Election Day, but not under conviction of any felony, of treason, or of bribery (including any period of probation or parole)
- You are a participant in the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) with the Office of the Secretary of State
- The county absentee voting office and your polling place are inaccessible to you due to your physical disability
- You are temporarily residing outside of the county (you must receive ballot at an address outside of the county.)
- You are serving as an elected or appointed state or federal official (you must receive ballot at an address outside of the county.)
Can I fix my West Virginia mail ballot if it is rejected?
If you submit a defective absentee ballot in West Virginia, you will be notified that the ballot will be considered provisional and the reason.
You may submit a corrected ballot, provided that the county clerk’s office receives the ballot by:
- The day before Election Day, if hand-delivered;
- The day before Election Day, if hand-delivered;
- The day after Election Day, if mailed without postmark;
- The canvass date (i.e., the Monday following Election Day), if postmarked by the USPS by Election Day;
- The canvass date (i.e., the Monday following Election Day), if from military or overseas voters.
