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West VirginiaHB 48652026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Providing for a program allowing election official trainees to be appointed as election officials

Sponsored By: Joe Funkhouser (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§3-1-28

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Student trainee program for poll workers

Local appointing bodies can set up a program for student election official trainees. You must be a junior or senior in good standing, or home schooled. If you attend school, you need at least a 3.0 GPA. You need written approval from a parent or guardian. If you will work on a school day, you need the principal’s written OK. You must finish the official training and certify your party in writing. Only one student per party may serve in each precinct. You are not marked absent from school when you serve.

Suspensions for poll worker misconduct

A county commission can vote to suspend a poll worker for four years for misconduct. Reasons include not showing up on time without proper notice and cause, failing required duties, interfering with a voter, breaking ballot secrecy, being under the influence, or betting on an election. The commission acts by majority vote. Voters can also seek a two-year suspension. A petition needs 25 registered voters from the precinct, evidence, and filing at least 90 days before an election. Petition signers’ names stay confidential.

Rules to serve as poll workers

To serve as an election official, you must be a registered voter of the county. For town elections, you must also be a voter of the town. You must read and write English. You cannot be on the ballot or an official write-in. You also cannot be the parent, child, sibling, or spouse of a candidate in your precinct. Both limits have a narrow exception for party executive committees. You cannot be barred by other law or have a past election‑law conviction. If a town cannot find enough eligible or willing residents, a county voter from that county may serve in the town.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joe Funkhouser

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • James Robert "JB" Akers II

    Republican • House

  • Jim Butler

    Republican • House

  • Jarred Cannon

    Republican • House

  • Wayne Clark

    Republican • House

  • Scot C. Heckert

    Republican • House

  • Rick Hillenbrand

    Republican • House

  • Michael Hornby

    Republican • House

  • Jordan Maynor

    Republican • House

  • Bill Ridenour

    Republican • House

  • Matthew Rohrbach

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 201 • No: 24

House vote • 3/14/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 672)

Yes: 82 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 549)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/16/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 93)

Yes: 85 • No: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/31/2026

    3/31/2026House

  3. House received Senate message

    3/14/2026House

  4. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 672)

    3/14/2026House

  5. Communicated to Senate

    3/14/2026House

  6. Completed legislative action

    3/14/2026House

  7. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  8. To Governor 3/31/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  9. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  10. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  11. On 3rd reading

    3/13/2026Senate

  12. Read 3rd time

    3/13/2026Senate

  13. Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 549)

    3/13/2026Senate

  14. Senate requests House to concur

    3/13/2026Senate

  15. On 2nd reading

    3/12/2026Senate

  16. Read 2nd time

    3/12/2026Senate

  17. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026Senate

  18. Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendment

    3/11/2026Senate

  19. Immediate consideration

    3/11/2026Senate

  20. Read 1st time

    3/11/2026Senate

  21. Introduced in Senate

    2/17/2026Senate

  22. To Judiciary

    2/17/2026Senate

  23. To Judiciary

    2/17/2026Senate

  24. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    2/16/2026House

  25. Read 3rd time

    2/16/2026House

Bill Text

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