Ballot Issues in West Virginia

Constitutional Amendments

The only ballot issues which are authorized for statewide elections in West Virginia are constitutional amendments.  An amendment must be proposed and ordered to be placed on the general election ballot by a Joint Resolution of the West Virginia Legislature.  The wording of the proposal for the ballot, the wording of the actual amendment, the number of the amendment and the election in which it is to be held are all included in the Joint Resolution.

June 25, 2005 Special Election -- Amendment No. 1   Pension Bond Amendment

Initiative, Referendum and Recall

The West Virginia Constitution does not presently allow for issues to be placed on the ballot through initiative, referendum or recall petitions.  A constitutional amendment to allow for these issues would have to be proposed by the Legislature and adopted by the voters in order for this to change.

The "Home Rule Amendment" to the West Virginia Constitution did give municipalities the right to establish these provisions by charter.

Local Issue Elections

Go to Other Elections for additional information about special levies, bond issues, and local option elections which may be held at the county or municipal level.