Secretary of State Mac Warner says his Office is ready for the 2018 primary and general elections, starting with the January filing period for candidates.
On Monday, January 8th, candidates planning to run for office in the May primary and November general elections will need to file their certificate of announcement with the Secretary of State’s Elections Division or the county clerk’s office, depending on the office sought. Candidates have between January 8th and midnight Saturday, January 27th to file their paperwork.
“After overseeing 131 municipal elections last year and November’s special election, our office is ready for the 2018 midterm elections,” Secretary Warner said. “I will do everything within my authority as the state’s chief elections officer to ensure our elections are fair end secure.”
Candidates for federal, statewide, legislative, and judicial (excluding magistrates) offices, as well as those running for office in more than one county file their certificate of candidacy with the Secretary of State’s Office. All other offices file at their respective county clerk’s office.
Offices on the ballot this year include: U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives; West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates; county commissions; county boards of education; conservation district supervisors; Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District; political party executive committees for statewide, districts, and counties; and any vacancies that are to be filled.
Candidates can file in person at the Secretary of State’s Office in Charleston during regular business hours and from 8:30 a.m. to midnight on January 27th. Candidates can also file at the North Central Business Hub, located at 200 West Main Street in Clarksburg, and the Eastern Panhandle Business Hub, located at 229 East Martin Street, Suite 100 in Martinsburg.
Alternatively, candidates can mail their certificate of announcement and filing fee to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, State Capitol Building, Charleston, WV 25305. All mailed filings must be received or postmarked by January 27th.
Also starting Monday, candidate filings in the Secretary of State’s Charleston office will be livestreamed on our website at www.wvsos.gov.
