Municipal Elections

In each election cycle, over 60 West Virginia cities, towns and villages will hold elections.  Incorporated municipalities which have charters may set an election.  Those towns which operate under state law rather than a charter will hold elections on the date set by West Virginia Code, the second Tuesday in June.

The list of municipalities holding elections is provided two ways -- in alphabetical order by city name, and by county.  The classification of the municipality, based on population, is also included.  For specific population figures, visit the WV Municipal League website.

Click here to fill out the Municipal Elections Survey.

See our Q&A on Municipal Elections for answers to common questions.

Alphabetical  by City

By  County

Q & A for West Virginia Municipal Elections

Candidate Filing

Q.  Who is eligible to run for municipal office?

A.  Residents of a municipality who are qualified to register to vote in the city, town or village are eligible to run for and hold the office of mayor, recorder or council member.

Q.  What offices are up for election?

A.  Different towns have different offices to be filled.  A great many will elect a mayor, recorder and five council members.  Check with the municipal clerk or recorder to find out.

Q.  When will candidate filing occur?

A.  If the filing dates are set by charter or ordinance, those dates will be the filing period.  If the charter or ordinance provides for nomination by convention, there is no open filing period.  If there is no charter or ordinance provision setting the dates of candidate filing, the state filing period applies.  (See current candidate calendar)

Q.  What form is used to file?

A.  Check with the municipal clerk or recorder first.  A few cities have a special form prescribed by charter.  Most cities use the state prescribed form.  Go to Candidate Forms to download the Certificate of Announcement for Municipal Elections.

Campaign Finance

Q.  What rules cover municipal campaign finance?

A. State campaign finance law and rules governs municipal elections too.  Campaign finance filings and reports are filed with the municipal clerk or recorder.

Visit the Campaign Finance section on this website for all the information.  Campaign finance forms for the formation of a candidate or PAC committee and for reporting can be downloaded from this site.

Q.  When will candidates be able to start raising money for the campaign?

A.  A precandidacy filing will allow a person who intends to file as a candidate to begin raising money immediately.

 Q.  What is the maximum contribution to a municipal candidate?

A.  $1000 for the primary election (if there is one), and $1000 for the general election if the candidate was nominated.

Q.  May citizens form a political action committee?

A.  Yes, but only if a statement of organization is filed with the municipal recorder or clerk at least 28 days before the election.

Voter Registration and Voting

Q.  Does a voter have to register again for the municipal election?

A.  If a person who lives inside the municipal boundaries is already registered at that address for state and county elections, that person is also legally registered for municipal elections. 

Q.  When is the deadline to register?

A.  Voters must register at least 20 days before the municipal election date.  Don't leave this until the last minute if you really want to vote!  Download our on-line registration form, complete it on your computer screen, then print, sign and mail to your county clerk.  It only takes a few minutes.

Q.  May I register to vote in the city if I live outside the town but own a business there?

A.  NO!  Everyone understands why business people are interested in the future of a city or town, but it is a serious crime with a $1,000 fine to register or change your residence address on your registration when you are not entitled to do so.  [West Virginia Code §3-2-32]

Q.  Will absentee voting and early in person voting be available for a municipal election?

A.  YES!  The same procedures apply for absentee voting and early in person voting in municipal elections as in county and state elections, EXCEPT the municipal recorder or clerk receives the applications and provides the ballots and the ballots are returned to the city.  Go to Absentee Voting and Early Voting for more information about the timelines and rules.

Election Procedures

Q.  Who runs the municipal election?

A.  The clerk or recorder handles candidate filing, campaign finance filings, ballot construction, preparing election supplies for the precincts, training election officials.
      The municipal council (including the mayor and recorder) appoints election officials, arranges for polling places, and canvasses the election.
      Three ballot commissioners, one of them the municipal recorder, handle absentee voting.
      The county clerk handles voter registration.

Q.  How are election officials chosen?

A.  Most municipalities do not have political executive committees of their own to nominate election officials.  The council may choose election officials, but the law requires they consider recommendations from voters or candidates.

Q.  What happens on election day?

A.  Procedures are the generally the same as for county and state elections.  See Going to the Polls on Election Day for more information about procedures.