West VirginiaWest Virginia lets trained students serve as election officials
West Virginia law lets the body appointing election officials set up a program for qualifying students, with written approvals and a one-student-per-party limit in each precinct.
What it does
The body that appoints election officials may let trained junior and senior students serve, if they meet the eligibility rules and get required written approvals.
Argument forElection offices could get more help from trained students, who also would not be counted absent from school on the day they serve.
Argument againstThe one-student-per-party limit could keep some qualified students from serving in a precinct, even when they finish the required training.
More detail
The body that appoints election officials may set up a program for eligible students to serve as election officials. The program may cover junior or senior students in good standing at a public or private secondary school, or students being home schooled, at the time of the election. Students must meet the listed eligibility rules, finish the required election-official training, and get written approval from a parent or legal guardian. Public or private school students must have a grade average equal to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. They need written approval from their principal if they must work on a school day. Only one qualifying student from each political party may serve in a precinct. Before appointment, the student must certify their party affiliation in writing. The law takes effect June 12, 2026. A student serving as an election official cannot be counted absent from school on the day they serve.
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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 135, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 1Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026Major
- Mar 31To Governor 3/31/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/31/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 672)
- 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. 549)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
- Feb 17To JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 17To JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 17Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 16Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16Passed House (Roll No. 93)Passed House
- Feb 16Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 16On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 13Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 13On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 12Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 12On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 11By substitute, do pass
- Feb 9Markup Discussion
- Feb 6To House JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 5Markup Discussion
- Feb 5To House Legal ServicesMinor
- Jan 28To House JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 28Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 28To JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 28Filed for introductionIntroduced
Civil Rights & VotingEducation