A note from Erin: “I’m excited to collaborate with Wheeling Heritage to bring to you a series that will focus on voter registration and election news, explain new laws, and clear up misunderstandings and misinformation as well as enlighten you on how the whole thing works. This monthly article will be fact based, so whether you’re not political at all, a casual voter, or staunchly left or right or somewhere in between, the information shared here affects you.”
New Voting Law
For this first installment we’ll start with a new voting law that will impact every West Virginia voter. As of July 11, 2025, W. Va. Code §3-1-34 & §3-2-10 (g-i) was amended to now require photo identification at the polls to vote. Prior to this date, WV allowed voters to use several forms of non-photo identification to receive a ballot including that familiar yellow voter registration card.
Whatever form of identification you use must not be expired (unless you’re 65 or older, more on that later). Accepted forms of photo ID for voting are: WV driver’s license or state issued ID, a driver’s license from another state, US passport or passport card, government employee ID w/photo, U.S. military ID w/photo, student ID w/photo from a WV high school or WV institution of higher learning, DMV issued ID without photo for those who are members of religious groups that do not allow photos, or a WV photo voter ID. If you do not have a valid state, government or student ID you may apply for a free photo voter ID at the Ohio County Commission office.
The only exceptions to this law are for individuals 65 years of age or older, you may use an expired photo ID ONLY IF the ID was not expired on your 65th birthday. This law also does not apply to absentee voters. If you do not have a photo ID, you can also bring an adult who has known you for longer than 6 months to the polling place with you. That person will be required to show their valid ID and sign an affidavit confirming your identity.
About half of Ohio County in-person voters present their voter registration cards at the polls. Don’t be caught unprepared, if you do not have proper identification at your polling place, you will be required to vote a provisional ballot, and your vote may not count!
If you have a question about this article or a topic you’d like me to cover in a future issue, send me an email at the address below.
Ohio County Election Coordinator
eallietta@ohiocountywv.gov
