Pritt Voluntarily Removes Himself From General Election Ballot

Former delegate David Elliott Pritt from the 50^th House District in Fayette County has removed himself from the November general election ballot, avoiding a hearing before the state election commission.  

The former public school teacher and delegate was arrested and charged with “enticing a minor” following an investigation that alleged he exchanged explicit images with a student before escalating to sexual abuse in his classroom.    

Secretary of State Kris Warner announced Tuesday afternoon that Pritt had voluntarily withdrawn his candidacy. According to state code, a candidate may withdraw by filing a notarized statement of withdrawal no later than the close of business on Aug. 11, 2026. 

West Virginia election law (W. Va. Code § 3-5-11(b)(2) does not permit the Republican Party to fill the vacancy on the general election ballot created by Pritt’s withdrawal. The Democratic candidate for the seat is Mathew Anderson.  

“The Office of the Secretary of State serves a ministerial role for candidate filing, and has very little authority to exercise discretion in candidacy matters,” Warner said. “The law in this instance is clear. Because the legislature removed the opportunity for political parties to select replacement candidates on the ballot when a vacancy is created by withdrawal, there is no alternative option to replace the candidate on the ballot.”   

The State Election Commission was scheduled to meet Friday to discuss Pritt’s place on the ballot, but that is no longer necessary. The commission will meet to address other election-related issues.  

Additional information regarding the Nov. 3, 2026, general election is available from the Office of the Secretary of State and county clerks throughout West Virginia at GoVoteWV.com and each county’s specific website.