Charleston, W.Va. – WV Secretary of State Kris Warner announced today that former Delegate David Elliott Pritt has voluntarily withdrawn his candidacy for the November 3, 2026, General Election. The Office of the Secretary of State received formal notice of the withdrawal this afternoon.
Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 3-5-11(b)(2), a candidate for the general election may withdraw by filing a notarized statement of withdrawal with the Secretary of State no later than the close of business on August 11, 2026.
In accordance with the Legislature's amendment in 2024 to West Virginia election law, the law does not permit the Republican Party to fill the vacancy on the general election ballot created by Mr. Pritt's withdrawal.
"The Office of the Secretary of State serves a ministerial role for candidate filing, and has very little authority to exercise discretion in candidacy matters," Secretary Warner said. "The law in this instance is clear. Because the Legislature removed the opportunity for political parties to select replacement candidates on the ballot when a vacancy is created by withdrawal, there is no alternative option to replace the candidate on the ballot."
The West Virginia State Election Commission (SEC) is scheduled to meet on Friday, August 7, 2026, to consider eligibility challenges for candidates currently on the 2026 General Election ballot. With Mr. Pritt's withdrawal, that question is no longer before the SEC. The SEC's meeting will proceed as scheduled to address other election-related business.
Additional information regarding the November 3, 2026, General Election is available from the Office of the Secretary of State and county clerks throughout West Virginia at GoVoteWV.com and each county's specific website.
