W.Va. Candidate Filing Period Opens Jan. 12

West Virginia’s primary election is only five months away. Candidates for elected office can officially register to run starting next week.

The official candidate filing period for West Virginia’s May 12 primary election begins on Jan. 12 and ends on Jan. 31, according to Secretary of State Kris Warner. 

Candidates running for statewide and legislative offices, state executive committee, offices to be filled by voters in more than one county and judicial offices (excluding magistrates) must file directly with the Secretary of State’s office.

Candidates running for offices to be filled by voters in a single county, including county commission, magistrate and district-level political party executive committees, must file with the county clerk. 

Candidates may file in-person or by mail. Filing forms mailed to the county clerk or the West Virginia Secretary of State must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service on or before Jan. 31. 

Filing fees are required to be paid at the time the filing is made or the submission will be rejected. Candidates whose claimed political party affiliations or residence address do not match their official voter registration records are subject to rejection.

Select the following link for a directory of all 55 West Virginia county clerks.

The state capitol and regional offices in Clarksburg (153 West Main Street) and Martinsburg (229 East Martin Street) will be open on Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. until midnight.

Candidates can also review a Running for Office Guide.

For more information on elections in West Virginia, how to register to vote, how to vote by absentee or how to update your voter registration, visit GoVoteWV.com.