Tag: Voter Registration

W.Va. Ups Efforts to Increase Voter Registration

The Secretary of State’s Office is encouraging West Virginians of all ages to register to vote or update their current voter registration during National Voter Registration Month. 

September is National Voter Registration month. Last year, West Virginia launched its online voter registration system during September, and since then, 45,000 people have used the site, 20,000 of whom signed up to vote for the first time.

This month, the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office is celebrating legislation passed during the 2016 legislative session making West Virginia the third state to implement an automatic voter registration system. Voters are automatically enrolled through the Division of Motor Vehicles with the option to opt out instead of opt in, like a majority of states.

At a press conference at the Capitol Thursday, Harrison County Clerk Susan Thomas said registering is only the first step.

“We can register all the people we want, but if they don’t go out and vote, our roles are inflated, but don’t get me wrong, registration is very important too.”

The deadline to register to vote in November’s general election is October 18. Early voting begins October 26.

West Virginia Schools Recognized for Voter Registration

Eleven West Virginia high schools have been recognized for student voter registration.

Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant’s office announced the Jennings Randolph Award to the schools for the 2015-2016 academic year. The award recognizes 100 percent registration of voting-eligible students.

Tennant’s office says four schools received the award for the 2014-2015 year.

The schools recognized are Buffalo, Fairmont East, Independence, Man, Mount View, Philip Barbour, Ravenswood, River View, Sherman, St. Joseph Central Catholic and Wyoming East. At the 11 schools, 1,188 students were registered. Statewide, the group Inspire West Virginia registered 2,200 during the school year.

A news release from Tennant’s office says Inspire West Virginia student leaders collaborate with peers to lead nonpartisan voter registration projects at their high schools.

W.Va. Voter Registration Deadline Approaching

More than 33,000 West Virginia voters have used the state’s online voter registration system. The numbers come from the Secretary of State’s Office as the deadline to register to vote in West Virginia’s primary election is quickly approaching.

The Secretary of State’s Office reports about 50 percent of those using the online voter registration system were new applicants, signing up to vote for the first time. The other half were made up of voters looking to change their names, addresses, or party affiliations.

Residents from all of the state’s 55 counties have submitted information through the online system.

The deadline to register to vote in West Virginia’s primary election in Tuesday, April 19. Voters can use the online system or visit their county clerk’s office to fill out the registration form.

The state’s primary election will be held on May 10.

It will be the only time West Virginia voters can cast ballots for judicial officers, including the contested race for one open seat on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

West Virginia holds a closed primary meaning voters can only cast ballots for candidates from the party they are registered in. Registered independent voters can choose between the two party ballots.

West Virginia Voter Registration Deadline is April 19

Time is running out for West Virginians to register to vote in the May 10 primary election.

The deadline to register is April 19.

Early voting begins April 27 and runs through May 7. Early voting is open during regular business hours at each county courthouse or annex. Early voting also is available each Saturday.

Hours and locations by county can be found on the Secretary of State’s Office’s website.

West Virginia's New Online Registration Increases Voters

West Virginia’s new online voter registration system has clicked with voters.

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant says her office received 1,082 submissions through the system in its first month. The submissions included 439 new voter registration applications, 349 address changes, 267 party changes and 27 name changes.

Tennant said Tuesday in a news release that the submissions came from residents in 50 of the state’s 55 counties.

She says she considers the system’s first month as a success

West Virginia is one of 26 states that offer online voter registration.

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