GUIDE TO VOTING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

A. TO VOTE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, YOU MUST REGISTER FIRST.

Find out if you are registered here. 

If not, you can register online here. 

Or you can register by mail or in person. Download the form here

REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR GENERAL ELECTION
OCTOBER 13, 2026

AM I REQUIRED TO SHOW ID TO REGISTER TO VOTE? 

Yes, in most cases. To register: 

  • Online: You must have a West Virginia driver’s license or state ID and the last four digits of your Social Security number. 
  • By mail or in person: You must provide either your West Virginia DMV ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have neither, you must write “NONE,” and a voter ID number will be assigned. 

ADDITIONAL ID REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST-TIME VOTERS 

If you are registering for the first time in West Virginia (or the first time in a county) and have never voted in a federal election in the state, you must also provide proof of identity and residence. You can submit one of the following with your registration form or show it the first time you vote: 

  • A current and valid photo ID, or 
  • A current one of the following:
    • Utility bill 
    • Bank statement 
    • Government check 
    • Paycheck 
  • Other government document that includes your name and current residence address

B. WHEN DO I VOTE?

You can vote in person at your polling place on election day – November 3, 2026.

You can vote by absentee ballot if it is postmarked by November 3, 2026.

You can vote early at Jefferson County’s early voting site – October 21-31, 2026.

C. VOTING IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY.

On November 3, 2026, you must vote at your precinct polling place. If you don’t know your precinct polling place location, find it here. 

Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

WHAT IDENTIFICATION DO I NEED TO VOTE IN PERSON
ON ELECTION DAY?

  • 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

D. VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT.

A registered voter can vote an absentee ballot by mail if unable to appear in person at a polling place for the following reasons:

  • Disability, illness, injury, or other medical reason, or disability because of extreme advanced age,
  • Incarceration or home confinement for a non-felony offense,
  • Personal or business travel,
  • Attendance at a college, university, or other place of education or training,
  • Employment which because of hours worked and distance from the county seat makes voting in person impossible,
  • Uniformed service personnel, and
  • Persons temporarily living abroad.

THE PERIOD FOR APPLYING FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT IS
AUGUST 11 TO OCTOBER 28, 2026. 

You can apply for an absentee ballot from your County Clerk using this form. Instructions for filling out your absentee ballot are here.

YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT MUST BE POSTMARKED BY
NOVEMBER 3, 2026.

E. EARLY VOTING

Registered voters may vote in person during regular business hours beginning on October 21 and ending on October 31, 2026. During the early voting period, voting will also be conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Early voting in Jefferson County will take place at the Jefferson County Government Complex, 393 N. Lawrence St., Charles Town, WV 25414.

The same identification will be required for early voting as is required for voting on election day.