WV HB2022

Requires candidates for partisan offices to have been registered with their political party for at least 60 days before filing their certificate of announcement to run for office

Applies to candidates who were previously registered as Independent or unaffiliated and then switched to a party affiliation

Exempts first-time voters in West Virginia who have never been registered to vote in the state from the 60-day party affiliation requirement

Allows the Secretary of State or board of ballot commissioners to refuse certification of candidates who violated the 60-day party affiliation rule, provided a formal complaint is filed within 10 days of the filing period closing

Changes take effect on January 1, 2026