Tag: West Virginia Secretary of State

W.Va. Man Fined For Voter Fraud

Richard Fox was sentenced in Fayette County Circuit Court for casting two mail-in ballots – one in West Virginia and one in Florida during the Nov. 3, 2020 election.

A West Virginia man has been convicted of voter fraud after illegally casting more than one ballot during the 2020 presidential election. 

Richard Fox was sentenced in Fayette County Circuit Court for casting two mail-in ballots – one in West Virginia and one in Florida during the Nov. 3, 2020 election.

Secretary of State Mac Warner Thursday announced that Fox was ordered to pay $1,000 and serve a year’s probation for illegal voting during the 2020 election.

Warner said Fox’s actions not only violated the law, but broke the trust of the state’s citizens, and harmed the integrity of every race on his ballot.

The release did not provide any information on who Fox voted for but Warner said his conviction serves as a warning to anyone tempted to commit voter fraud that they will face prosecution.

Warner, a Republican who is running for governor in West Virginia, has often questioned election integrity nationally, but has continued to say that West Virginia elections are safe.  

His office has developed a “See Something, Text Something” cell phone tool that allows residents to submit tips about suspected illegal voting.

Warner made an appearance at the “March for Trump” rally in Charleston after the election, holding up a “Stop the Steal” sign.

He was one of the first GOP election officials to opt to withdraw from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a nonpartisan group with a record of combating voter fraud. 

Warner said he has had better success working with his own team to verify and investigate the rolls, as well as collaborating with other states.

Despite Warner’s repeated claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, multiple investigations, audits and court cases concluded there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud or improper counting that could have changed the results of the election.

Voter Registration Deadline Is April 19

The deadline to register to vote, or update a current voter registration, for the upcoming May 10 Primary Election is April 19.

The deadline to register to vote, or update a current voter registration, for the upcoming May 10 Primary Election is April 19.

Voters who have moved to a different address, changed their name, or wish to change their political party should update their registration.

Eligible citizens can register to vote in one of three ways:

  1. Online atGoVoteWV.com using a valid West Virginia driver’s license or state-issued ID number; 
  2. Mailing a paper application to their county clerk (application form available atGoVoteWV.com or calling their county clerk to have one provided); or 
  3. In-person registration including at the public offices of the county clerk, Secretary of State, Division of Motor Vehicles, public assistance offices, agencies serving people with disabilities, and military recruiting agencies.

Mailed registrations must be received or postmarked by no later than April 19.
For those who wish to register in person, check the local office’s business hours. Those registering online must register by the close of business of their county clerk’s office.

Voters can find their voting districts and polling places for the May 10 Primary Election by using the address lookup tool on the WV Interactive Map for Voting Precincts & Districts atGoVoteWV.com.

Live Results: West Virginia Constitutional Officers

The West Virginia Constitution mandates that — beyond the governor — five elected officers are to oversee the state’s executive branch.

Like in all other presidential election years, each of those five seats — Agriculture Commissioner, Attorney General, Auditor, Secretary of State and Treasurer — are all on the ballot in the 2020 general election.

More Than 94,000 Registered Voters In W.Va. Have Requested Absentee Ballots

A total of 94,413 registered voters in West Virginia have so far requested an absentee ballot for the upcoming general election.

County clerks in the state have sent out more than 94 percent of those requested ballots as of Sept. 29, according to a press release from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office.

Voters can request an absentee ballot online using the absentee ballot application portal. Voters will need to print and mail an application from GoVoteWV.com, or they can call or write their county clerk to request an application form by mail.

“For voters with access to the absentee ballot request portal, our data shows the online option is their most expedient way to request a ballot,” Secretary of State Mac Warner said. “Clerks across the state are returning requested ballots within about a day of voters requesting them. They are now able to give more time and attention to the voters who need assistance when filling out the paper application or need additional items to complete the voting process.”

County clerks started mailing absentee ballots to West Virginia voters on Sept. 18.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 28. Applications must be received by county clerks by that date to be accepted.

There are 1,249,812 registered voters in West Virginia, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

Nearly 80,000 Absentee Ballots Requested So Far For W.Va. General Election

The West Virginia Secretary of State’s office has released data on voter registrations and absentee ballot requests in what’s expected to be a record breaking election for voting by mail.

Secretary of State Mac Warner’s office said, as of Tuesday, that 79,140 absentee ballots have been requested for the general election, with 64,514 already mailed out.

According to Warner’s office, West Virginia has more than 1.2 million registered voters. The figures come as the state marked National Voter Registration Day Tuesday. County Clerks began mailing requested absentee ballots on Friday, Sept. 18.

As part of National Voter Registration Day, efforts are underway to increase registrations and boost turnout in the upcoming election.

Voters can check their status, update their registration or sign up for the first time through Oct. 13. Absentee ballots can be requested through Oct. 28 and must be returned with a postmark before Election Day on Nov. 3.

Early voting will also take place between Oct. 21 and Oct. 31.

As West Virginia’s top election official, Republican incumbent Warner is squaring off in this election against Democrat Natalie Tennnant, who has also held the office. The race for president, governor, state constitutional officers and Congressional seats are also on the ballot.

Editor’s Note: Watch a debate between Warner and Tennant in the race for Secretary of State.

For more on registering to vote, applying for an absentee ballot and other information regarding the upcoming general election, visit GoVoteWV.com.

Democrat Natalie Tennant Announces She's Seeking Return As West Virginia's Secretary Of State

Former Democratic West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant is running to win back her seat in 2020. 

Tennant made the announcement Thursday morning in a video emailed to news media and her supporters. 

“At this critical time for our state, it is important that our leaders honor the calling of public service by taking seriously the responsibilities and trust West Virginians place in them,” she said in the video. “That’s why I am announcing I am running to serve as your Secretary of State.”

In a press materials accompanying her announcement, Tennant touted a record of improving business licensing, providing greater access to elections and more transparency in government. 

The Democratic stalwart was twice elected as the West Virginia’s Secretary of State — first in 2008 and again in 2012. However, she lost the seat to Republican Mac Warner in 2016 by a margin of less than 2 percentage points.  

Aside from holding office as the state’s chief elections officer, Tennant made a failed bid in 2011 to be her party’s nominee for a gubernatorial special election. She also lost a U.S. Senate race in 2014 to Republican Shelley Moore Capito.

According to campaign finance reports, Tennant has so far raised more than $20,000 for the Secretary of State race. She filed as an undeclared candidate in September. 

Warner, who is also registered as undeclared, has nearly $30,000 on hand for his 2020 re-election bid. 

The official filing period for the upcoming election runs from January 13 to January 25, 2020.

 

Exit mobile version