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2026 Elections
How to Vote in West Virginia: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in West Virginia for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at West Virginia's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 21 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 21, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- 6 days before Election Day
- Polls Close
- 7:30 p.m. ET
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
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Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your West Virginia Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of West Virginia's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View West Virginia's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
On the ballotThe November matchup: Shelley Moore Capito (R) vs Rachel Fetty Anderson (D).
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Decided earlierWest Virginia's 2028 Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia seats were decided before November. Local judges may be on your ballot too. How West Virginia chooses its judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at West Virginia's official election site.
Find your West Virginia representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in West Virginia
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 21 days before Election Day.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at West Virginia's official site.
Early Voting in West Virginia
Early voting opens ≈ October 21, 2026 — 13 days before Election Day. It runs through 3 days before Election Day.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at West Virginia's official election site.
Voting by Mail in West Virginia
West Virginia requires a qualifying excuse to vote by mail. Request deadline: 6 days before Election Day.
Return rule: Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received before the canvass begins (the fifth day after the election)
Track your ballot: use West Virginia's ballot tracker to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Details and request forms are at West Virginia's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in West Virginia
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
See the full list of accepted ID at West Virginia's official election site.
Poll Hours in West Virginia
Polls are open until 7:30 p.m. ET on November 7, 2028.
See how West Virginia's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at West Virginia's official election site.
When West Virginia Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: County boards of canvassers — by about December 3, 2026. Canvass begins within five days (excluding Sundays); results reach the state within 30 days.
- Statewide: Governor, for congressional races — December 3, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. After the county canvasses and any recounts; no fixed date in law.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in West Virginia?
21 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register/Landing.
Can I vote early in person in West Virginia?
Yes. Early voting opens around October 21, 2026 (13 days before Election Day) and runs through 3 days before Election Day.
Do I need ID to vote in West Virginia?
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
When do polls close in West Virginia?
Polls close 7:30 p.m. ET on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in West Virginia?
Request a ballot (an excuse is required) — 6 days before Election Day. Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received before the canvass begins (the fifth day after the election)
Is it too late to register to vote in West Virginia?
21 days before Election Day Confirm at https://ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register/Landing.
How do I track my mail ballot in West Virginia?
Use West Virginia's ballot tracker (https://apps.sos.wv.gov/Elections/voter/absenteeballottracking) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Where can I see a sample ballot for West Virginia?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at West Virginia's official election site (https://ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register/Landing).