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West VirginiaHB 47102026 Regular SessionHouse

Changing the limit on switching parties before filing to run for office from 60 days to 180 days prior to an election.

Sponsored By: Josh Holstein (Republican)

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§3-5-7

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Candidates face longer waits after switching parties

Beginning January 1, 2027, West Virginia partisan candidates must have been registered with their listed party for 180 days before filing. This increases the prior 60-day period. Candidates cannot have been registered with another party or as independent during those 180 days. The Secretary of State or a ballot board may deny or remove candidate certification for violating this rule. That action requires a signed formal complaint and certified voter registration record filed within 10 days after filing closes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Josh Holstein

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Joe Funkhouser

    Republican • House

  • Chuck Horst

    Republican • House

  • Kump

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 157 • No: 96

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Effective January 1, 2027 (Roll No. 546)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 545)

Yes: 32 • No: 2

House vote • 2/18/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 122)

Yes: 79 • No: 13

House vote • 2/17/2026

Amendment rejected (Roll No. 115)

Yes: 12 • No: 81

Actions Timeline

  1. On 3rd reading

    3/13/2026Senate

  2. Read 3rd time

    3/13/2026Senate

  3. Passed Senate (Roll No. 545)

    3/13/2026Senate

  4. Effective January 1, 2027 (Roll No. 546)

    3/13/2026Senate

  5. Senate requests House to concur

    3/13/2026Senate

  6. On 2nd reading

    3/12/2026Senate

  7. Read 2nd time

    3/12/2026Senate

  8. Committee amendment reported

    3/12/2026Senate

  9. Amendments to committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026Senate

  10. Committee amendment as amended adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026Senate

  11. Reported do pass, with amendment

    3/11/2026Senate

  12. Immediate consideration

    3/11/2026Senate

  13. Read 1st time

    3/11/2026Senate

  14. Introduced in Senate

    2/19/2026Senate

  15. To Judiciary

    2/19/2026Senate

  16. To Judiciary

    2/19/2026Senate

  17. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    2/18/2026House

  18. Read 3rd time

    2/18/2026House

  19. Passed House (Roll No. 122)

    2/18/2026House

  20. Communicated to Senate

    2/18/2026House

  21. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    2/17/2026House

  22. Read 2nd time

    2/17/2026House

  23. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    2/17/2026House

  24. Amendment rejected (Roll No. 115)

    2/17/2026House

  25. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

    2/16/2026House

Bill Text

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