Pre-18 voter registration in West Virginia
In West Virginia 22,317 people turn 18 every year.
West Virginians can pre-register before turning 18.
pre-register before turning To register to vote in West Virginia, you must be: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026. (You are at least 17 and will be 18 by the next general election).
That means most eligible seniors and many juniors in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18*.
Learn more about the voter registration gap in West Virginia.
*In West Virginia, 17-year-olds can vote in primaries if they will be 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote.
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in West Virginia
Upcoming Statewide or Federal Elections:
- Nov 3rd, 2026 - West Virginia General Election (Register by Oct 13th, 2026)
Useful Links:
- Registration Form - Download the paper registration form for West Virginia.
- Registration Status - Check if you are already registered, your polling place, and more from your state’s voter registration website.
- Fair Elections Center - Learn about conducting a registration drive in West Virginia.
- Vote 411 - A nonpartisan resource to help you register, preview your ballot, and find key election information from the League of Women Voters.
- VoteRiders - Find out what forms of ID you can use to register and vote, and get help getting a valid form of ID.
Full Registration Details
By Mail: ID Requirements
To submit a voter registration application by mail in West Virginia, you must provide your West Virginia driver's license number OR Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)-issued ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. West Virginia will assign you a unique identification number.
By Mail: Eligibility Requirements
To register in West Virginia you must:
be a United States citizen
live in West Virginia at the address on your application
be 18 years old, or to vote in the primary be 17 years old and turning 18 before the general election
not be under conviction, probation, or parole for a felony, treason or election bribery
not have been judged "mentally incompetent" in a court of competent jurisdiction
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
Online Instructions
To register online in West Virginia, you need the last four digits of your Social Security number and either a West Virginia Driver’s License or ID card. If you don’t have a West Virginia-issued ID or a Social Security number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
More information here.
West Virginia High School Educators!!!
Support your students’ voter registration effort with our free toolkit.
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Jul 6th, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Jun 22nd, 2026.
Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
