SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginians will soon be able to register to vote online through the Secretary of State’s website.
Secretary of State Natalie Tennant made the announcement Tuesday at BridgeValley Community and Technical College in South Charleston as part of National Voter Registration Month.
“This is going to add accessibility for eligible voters in West Virginia,” said Tennant, following a news conference.
It will be as simple as going to a computer, a smart phone or tablet and logging onto www.wvsos.com, according to Tennant.
Citizens can input their information the same way they would on a voter registration card, Tennant said. The website also allows citizens to use their same DMV signature on their registration.
Tennant said the online platform is for those of all ages. She said it will appeal to young people, but will also appeal to the established voter who may need to change an address or piece of information online.
“There are going to be voters and citizens of the state who really never know we had paper registration cards that you had fill out because this is going to become a normal part of our process in voting and getting registered to vote,” she said.
If a person wishes to fill out a paper voter registration card, that option is still available.
Online or not, Tennant said voting is so important in West Virginia.
“You vote for people who have your like mindedness, that you want,” she said. “Somebody who has common sense who’s going to say ‘okay. We can get this road fixed if we do this.’ You have to voice your opinion and voice your thoughts and you do that through voting.”
Primary Election Day in West Virginia is May 10, 2016.
The deadline to register to vote in the Primary Election is April 19.
The online option is expected to be available in the coming months.