The West Virginia Secretary of State maintains the GoVoteWV.com website portal to assist with voting questions, registration, and absentee ballot requests. Below are tips and links to help navigate key dates and actions so you can make sure your vote gets counted.
Register to Vote
October 13 is the last day to register to vote.
Register online at GoVoteWV.com by selecting the blue “register to vote” button.
Confirm that your registration is active by going to GoVoteWV.com and selecting the blue “check voter registration record” button.
Vote In Person – Early
You can vote early between October 21 and October 31 at the historic courthouse building at 100 E Washington St, Charles Town WV. The early voting location is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and also Saturdays (Oct 24 & 31). The early voting location will NOT be open on Election Day (Tue, Nov 3).
See Voter ID requirements for what to bring when you vote.
Vote Absentee – Request Ballot
October 28 is the last day to request an absentee ballot.
Request an absentee ballot at GoVoteWV.com by selecting the red “absentee voting” button.
Request a military (UOCAVA) absentee ballot at GoVoteWV.com if you are serving outside WV
Concern for COVID-19 exposure is a valid medical reason for requesting an absentee ballot (check the first box in section 4-A of the application).
Absentee Ballot – Mail-in or Drop Off
You have two options to return your absentee ballot:
- Mail it so that it is postmarked by Tuesday, November 3 (or earlier).
- Drop off your absentee ballot in-person by Monday, November 2 (or earlier) at the Jefferson County Clerk’s office in the historic courthouse building (100 E Washington St, Charles Town WV) . You may drop off your own ballot and 1 other person’s ballot (e.g. spouse, parent, child). Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
If you request an absentee ballot and decide to vote in person, bring the absentee ballot with you to your polling place on Election Day and exchange it for a standard ballot (otherwise you will be directed to cast a provisional ballot).
Track your absentee ballot at GoVoteWV.com by selecting the blue “track absentee ballot” button. If it says “no result” you can go to your polling place on Election Day and request a provisional ballot.
Vote in Person – Election Day
Election day is Tuesday, November 3. All voting locations (the “polls”) are open from 6:30 in the morning to 7:30 in the evening.
To find out the location of your polling place, visit GoVoteWV.com and select the blue “find your polling place” button.
Two voting locations will be relocated on Election Day:
- Precincts 23A & 23B, moved from Jefferson Academy to Crosspoint Church (3066 S Childs Rd, Kearneysville)
- Precinct 14, moved from Camp Hill Wesley Church to Harpers Ferry Middle School (1710 N Washington St, Harpers Ferry)
Election Day – What to Expect
Jefferson County uses the ExpressVote system. You will receive a paper ballot card to insert in a touch-screen voting machine. You can select a choice for each race on the ballot — remember there are many county offices and bond issues on the ballot as well as the federal and state offices.
Allow for extra time to enter the polling place and expect to social distance in line (you may bring a portable chair if you are concerned about standing for an extended time). You are allowed to wear a mask into the polling place.
The area within 100 feet of the entrance to a WV polling place is a “campaign-free zone” — to avoid being challenged, don’t wear any buttons, hats, shirts, etc. with words or images for/against any candidate or issue within the area indicated by the posted signs.
Voter ID – What to Bring
Expect to show a valid and non-expired ID to vote. This ID can be any of the following:
- Voter registration card
- WV driver’s license or DMV ID card
- Driver’s license from other state
- US Military ID card
- Government employee ID (US or WV)
- Student ID
- Concealed carry permit
- Bank or debit card
- Utility bill or bank statement in your name (dated June or later)
- Health insurance card
- Medicare card
- WV Medicaid card
- Social Security card or Birth Certificate
- WV hunting or fishing license
- WV SNAP ID card
- WV TANF ID card
If you are voting in WV for the first time, you will need to show proof of residence at your voting address. Bring an ID (with photo and address) from the above list or a photo ID and current (October or November) utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck.
If you do not have a valid ID or your ID is not accepted, ask for a provisional ballot. You may still obtain a regular ballot if an adult (with valid ID) accompanying you can sign an affidavit or if a poll worker confirms to have known you for 6 months.
Visit GoVoteWV.com for more information about voting, registration, and absentee ballot requests.
By Staff Contributor