In primary elections, West Virginia state law permits parties to determine for themselves whether unaffiliated voters may participate in their primary elections, but party members must vote on their party's ballot.

All registered West Virginia voters may vote by absentee ballot in person during the period of early voting.

You may vote by absentee ballot by mail in West Virginia if one or more apply to you:

• Illness, injury or other medical reason (includes concerns of COVID-19)
• Disability or advanced age
• Incarceration or home detention (does not include individuals convicted of any felony, treason, or election bribery)
• Work hours and distance from county seat
• Inaccessible early voting site and polling place
• Personal or business travel
• Attendance at college or other place of education or training
• Temporary residence outside of the county
• Service as an elected or appointed state or federal official
• Voters with physical disabilities that prevent them from voting in person
• Military and overseas voters

If your first time voting will be absentee by mail, you must send a copy of one of the forms of valid ID listed below with your ballot:

• Valid photo ID
• Utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• Any other official government document

Acceptable Forms of Non-Photo Identification:

• Voter registration card
• Medicare card or Social Security card
• Birth certificate
• WV hunting or fishing license
• WV SNAP ID card
• WV TANF program ID card
• WV Medicaid ID card
• Bank or debit card
• Utility bill or bank statement issued within six months of the date of the election
• Health insurance card issued to the voter
• Any document issued by the WV or US government that displays the voter's name
• Any document issued by the state of WV or U.S. government containing voter's name, including a WV driver's license, passport, U.S. or WV government employee ID or military ID

Acceptable Forms of Photo Identification:

• Driver's license issued by another state
• Student ID card
• A concealed carry (pistol/revolver) permit

First-Time Voters ID Requirements:

If you registered to vote for the first time in West Virginia or your county, and you have not voted in a federal election in this state, you must show a valid ID with your voter registration application or the first time you vote.

• My first time voting will be in person: You must show one of the forms of valid ID listed below at the polling place.
• My first time voting will be absentee by mail: You must send a copy of one of the forms of valid ID listed below with your ballot. Important: Be sure to place the copy of your ID in your return envelope, “Absent Voter’s Ballot Envelope No. 2,” outside of the secrecy envelope that contains your ballot.

Valid ID for First Time Voters: only the following documents that show your current name and address can be accepted:

• Valid photo identification
• Utility bill
• Bank Statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• Any other official government document

A voter does not have to show an ID to vote if:

• The voter is accompanied by an adult who has known the voter for at least 6 months, has a photo ID with name and address, and signs an affidavit confirming the voter’s identity;
• A poll worker has known the voter at least 6 months;
• The voter is a resident of a WV state care facility that is the voter’s polling place;