CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The filing period for the 2026 Primary Election in West Virginia begins Jan. 12 but there are already of number of candidates who have filed pre-candidacy papers.
Seventeen of the 34 seats in the state Senate are on the ballot along with all 100 members of the House of Delegates.
There will also be judicial races in 2026.
Secretary of State Kris Warner said his office has already had its statewide meetings with county clerks and their election staffs.
“We’re talking about things like the primary being closed for unaffiliated voters to vote in the Republican Primary,” Warner said last week on MetroNews “Talkline.”
A March executive order from President Donald Trump focused on elections continues to be the target of legal challenges. Warner and county clerks have their eyes on how the executive order impacts the electronic voting systems used in West Virginia and other states. Legal challenges are ongoing.
“We’ll be ready no matter what happens with the presidential executive order,” Warner said.
warner has been visiting high schools encouraging seniors to register to vote and he’s also been urging them to become poll workers.
“We’ve interviewed all 55 of our county clerks and 52 of those county clerks say they are going to need help with poll workers,” Warner said.
Some key election dates for 2026
Jan. 1 begins the period when eligible voters can submit absentee ballot applications to their county clerk. That includes military and overseas voters.
Jan. 12-31 candidate filing period
Feb. 17 last day for candidate to withdraw from election; day when county commission notifies political parties for poll workers needed.
April 21 voter registration deadline
April 29-May 9 early voting period
May 12 Primary Election Day