Be Registered and Ready

West Virginia voters must show an approved form of photo identification at the polls during early voting or on Election Day. All forms of ID must be valid and not expired.

This law does not apply to absentee-by-mail voters or individuals who qualify for an exception (see details below).

First-time voters who did not provide ID when registering must show an approved form of ID as listed in the First-Time Voter ID Requirements section.

The information below is a summary of voter ID laws. To view the full laws on ID requirements, please refer to W.Va. Code §3-1-34 and §3-2-10(g-i).

Accepted Forms of ID

  • West Virginia driver's license or state-issued ID
  • Driver's license from another state
  • U.S. passport or passport card
  • Employee ID with photo issued by local, state, or federal government
  • Student ID with photo from a WV institution of higher education or a WV high school
  • U.S. military ID with photo
  • Voter registration card with photo issued by a WV county clerk or the WV Secretary of State
  • An ID issued by the DMV without a photo for voters who swear and affirm that they belong to recognized religious communities that prohibit them from being photographed

Of the IDs listed above, if the voter is 65 years of age or older and the ID is expired, it is still acceptable if the document was not expired on their 65th birthday.

Exceptions to the Voter ID Requirement

Signed, Sworn Statement by an Adult
  • Must have known the voter for at least six (6) months.
  • Must show a valid photo ID with current name and address.
  • Must sign an affidavit confirming the voter's identity.
A Poll Worker Knows the Voter
  • Must have known the voter for at least six (6) months.
  • No affidavit or ID required for poll workers.
Residents of State Care Facilities
  • Voter must be a resident of a licensed WV state care facility.
  • The care facility must be the polling place.
  • The resident's polling place must be located at the care facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if a voter cannot obtain any of the forms of ID?

Registered voters can receive a free voter ID card by submitting an application in person at their county clerk's office.

What if a voter with no ID doesn't fall under any exemptions?
  1. The voter will vote a provisional ballot at the polls.
  2. Before canvass, the provisional ballot signature is compared to the voter's registration signature.
  3. If the signatures match, the vote should count at canvass.

First-Time Voter ID Requirements

If you registered to vote for the first time in WV or your county and have not voted in a federal election in the state, valid first-time voter ID must be shown with your registration application or the first time you vote.

  • Voting in person for the first time: You must show one of the forms of valid ID listed below at the polling place.
  • Voting absentee by mail for the first time: You must send a copy of one of the forms of valid ID listed below with your ballot. 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 showing your current name and address can be accepted:

  • Valid Photo Identification
  • Utility Bill
  • Bank Statement
  • Government Check
  • Paycheck
  • Any Other Official Government Document

If a first-time voter does not provide one of the forms of valid ID listed above when voting for the first time in West Virginia or a county, then the ballot will be made provisional. Provisional ballots are not included in the Election Day results but will be considered by the Board of Canvassers at canvass.

To view the law on first-time voting ID requirements, please refer to W. Va. Code §3-2-10(g) and (h).