West VirginiaWest Virginia law lets eligible citizens abroad vote by mail
Starting January 1, 2027, eligible citizens living abroad may vote by mail in West Virginia elections, including some citizens born abroad with a qualifying family connection.
What it does
Eligible citizens living abroad who do not plan to return to the United States, or are unsure, may register and vote by mail in West Virginia state and federal elections.
Some citizens born abroad may vote by mail in West Virginia federal elections based on where a parent, legal guardian, or spouse was eligible to vote.
Argument forEligible citizens living abroad could vote in West Virginia state elections even when they do not plan to return, keeping a way to take part in state decisions.
Argument againstAllowing some citizens who do not plan to return to West Virginia to vote in state elections could weaken the link between voters and the state.
More detail
Eligible citizens residing abroad may register and vote by mail in West Virginia state and federal elections. This covers U.S. citizens residing abroad who meet the listed requirements, including those who do not plan to return or are unsure whether they will return. The voter must not intend to return to the United States, or must be unsure whether they will return. Before leaving the United States, the voter must have been domiciled in West Virginia and registered or eligible to register there, and must not be registered or qualified to vote elsewhere in the United States. The voter must have valid proof of U.S. citizenship and must not have established permanent residency in another state or country. The amendments to this section take effect January 1, 2027.
Some U.S. citizens born abroad may register and vote by mail in West Virginia federal elections. This covers U.S. citizens born outside the United States who meet the family connection and voter eligibility requirements. The voter must meet state voter eligibility rules except for West Virginia residency, must not have registered to vote elsewhere in the United States, and must not qualify under the other listed overseas-voter categories. The last place where the voter’s parent, legal guardian, or spouse was, or would have been eligible to register and vote before leaving the United States must be in West Virginia. The amendments to this section take effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 136, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 1Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026Major
- Mar 30To Governor 3/30/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded EFFECT Jan 01, 2027. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/30/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14Effective ninety days from passage
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14House requests Senate to concur in changed effective date
- Mar 14Effective January 1, 2027 (Roll No. 652)
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 651)
- Mar 14House received Senate message
- Mar 13Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 13Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 566)Passed Senate
- Mar 13Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 13On 3rd reading
- Mar 12Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 12Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 12On 2nd reading
- Mar 11Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 11Immediate consideration
- Mar 11Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendmentMinor
- Mar 4To JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 4To JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 4Introduced in SenateMinor
- Mar 3Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Passed House (Roll No. 267)Passed House
- Mar 3Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 3On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 2Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 2On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 27Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 27On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 26By substitute, do pass
- Feb 18Markup Discussion
- Feb 17To House JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 16Markup Discussion
- Feb 16To House Legal ServicesMinor
- Feb 10To House JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 10Introduced in HouseMinor
- Feb 10To JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 10Filed for introductionIntroduced
Civil Rights & Voting