West Virginia Candidate Filing Deadline Approaches

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The deadline for candidates to file for public office in West Virginia is quickly approaching. According to the Secretary of State, anyone wishing to run for the state House of Delegates, State Senate, or any other office covering more than one county must visit one of three locations in the state on Saturday, January 31st, between 9 a.m. and midnight to submit their candidacy. For county-level offices like mayor, city council, and county commission, the filing deadline is also this Saturday and must be done through the county clerk's office.

Why it matters

The upcoming election cycle is an important one for West Virginia, as voters will be selecting new representatives at the state and local levels. The candidate filing deadline ensures that the ballot is set and voters have a clear understanding of who is running for office.

The details

The three locations where candidates can file for state-level offices are the Secretary of State's office in Charleston, as well as offices in Martinsburg and Wheeling. For county-level offices, candidates must file directly with their county clerk's office. Those choosing to mail in their Candidacy Announcement Form C-1 must ensure it is postmarked by January 31st.

• The candidate filing deadline is this Saturday, January 31, 2026.
• Candidates must file between 9 a.m. and midnight on January 31st.

What’s next

After the filing deadline passes, election officials will finalize the ballot and begin preparing for the upcoming primary and general elections.