West Virginia to Hold Random Drawing for 2026 Primary Ballot Order

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The position of candidates on the 2026 West Virginia primary election ballot will be decided through a random drawing on February 24, 2026, according to a press release from Secretary of State Kris Warner. The drawing, which is required by state law, will be open to candidates and their representatives and will be managed by each county's clerk.

Why it matters

The order of candidates on the ballot can impact voter behavior and election outcomes, so the random drawing process is an important safeguard to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral process. West Virginia has nearly 2,700 candidates participating in the 2026 primary, so the ballot order determination is a significant logistical undertaking.

The details

The random drawing to determine the order of candidates on the 2026 West Virginia primary election ballot will take place at 9:00 A.M. on February 24, 2026. State law requires the county clerk in each county to manage the drawing, which must be open to candidates and their representatives. The final list of state and federal candidates was certified by the Secretary of State's office on February 20, 2026 and sent to the county clerks.

• The random drawing to determine ballot order will take place on February 24, 2026 at 9:00 A.M.
• The final list of candidates was certified by the Secretary of State's office on February 20, 2026

What’s next

The random drawing on February 24th will determine the order in which candidates' names will appear on the 2026 West Virginia primary election ballots.