West Virginia House Bill HB2119

West Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/12/25

Caption

Eliminating requirement for write-in candidates to register with Secretary of State in order to qualify write-in candidate votes to be counted.

Summary

House Bill 2119 would repeal West Virginia Code §3-6-4a, eliminating the current requirement that a write-in candidate file notice with the Secretary of State before votes cast for that candidate may be counted. Under the bill, write-in votes would no longer be disqualified solely because the candidate did not complete that pre-election filing step. The measure is narrowly focused on election administration and the counting of write-in votes. It does not change ballot access rules for listed candidates, but it would make write-in candidacies more flexible by allowing votes for eligible write-in candidates to be counted without prior registration with the Secretary of State.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would remove a specific statutory condition in West Virginia election law governing write-in candidacies and canvassing of returns. Election officials would need to count write-in votes without checking whether the named write-in candidate filed the existing pre-count notice with the Secretary of State, which could increase the number of write-in votes eligible for tabulation and potentially affect close races. The bill would amend the state’s election code by repealing the section that imposes this filing requirement.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes, the available context suggests a straightforward procedural election reform rather than a highly contentious proposal. The bill’s stated purpose is simple and direct: to remove a filing prerequisite for write-in votes to be counted. Because there are no transcripts or vote records provided, there is no evidence of organized support or opposition in the available materials.

Contention

The main point of contention, if any, would likely be whether the state should retain a filing requirement to ensure election administration clarity and candidate accountability, or instead allow all write-in votes to be counted regardless of prior notice. Supporters would likely view the bill as expanding voter choice and reducing technical barriers for write-in candidacies, while opponents could argue that the current filing rule helps prevent confusion, limits frivolous write-in campaigns, and simplifies canvassing. No specific legislators, committees, or stakeholder groups are identified in the provided record.