Voter Registration & Elections
REDISTRICTING NOTICE
Redistricting of magisterial districts, precincts, and polling place locations was approved by the Jefferson County Commission in December 2021. These changes were made due to a shift in population, in accordance with the most recent US Census results. These redistricting changes will become effective with the May 10, 2022 Primary Election.
The updated precincts and related information may be found on the Election Districts map.
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Jefferson County currently has approximately 40,000 registered voters. There are 32 voting precincts across the county that are divided among 4 delegate districts: the 97th, 98th, 99th, and 100th.
Starting with the 2018 election, Jefferson County began using the ADA compliant ExpressVote and DS200 ballot boxes. The ExpressVote machines utilize touchscreen technology while still producing a paper record for tabulations. The ExpressVote enables voters with special needs, including visual impairments, to cast their ballot independently. The DS200 is a precinct-based scanner and vote tabulator with the latest technology that ensures even the most poorly marked ballots are read accurately and consistently – protecting voter intent.
Click on the pictures below to learn more about Jefferson County’s election equipment. You can contact our office to schedule a demonstration of the equipment. You may also watch a video of how to use the equipment here: How to use the new election equipment.
You can contact the Voter & Elections Office via e-mail or phone.
Shaun Pacetti, Deputy Clerk Voter & Elections
304-728-3386
spacetti@jeffersoncountywv.org
Katrina Clark, Deputy Clerk Voter & Elections
304-728-3217
kclark@jeffersoncountywv.org
Nikki Painter, Chief Deputy Clerk
304-728-3246
npainter@jeffersoncountywv.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I registered to vote?
You can check here by entering your name and date of birth.
How can I register to vote?
You have several options. You can apply in person at the Jefferson County Courthouse located at 100 E. Washington St, Charles Town, you can download a voter registration application and return the completed form by mail or you can click on the link below to register online.
Voter Registration Application
In order to register, each of the following MUST be true
- You are a United States citizen
- You are at least 18 years of age, or will be 18 on or before the next General Election
- You live in West Virginia
- You are NOT currently under conviction, probation or parole for any felony, treason or bribery
- You have NOT been judged mentally incompetent in a court of competent jurisdiction
Applications can be submitted at any time; however registrations received 21 days or less before an election will not be processed until that election is over. Instructions on completing the form can be found at the beginning of the application. Please note that if required information is not completed, your application will be returned to you. If a copy of your driver’s license or state issued ID that has your current physical address listed is not included with the application, your address will have to be verified through the US Postal Service and will take approximately 10 business days.
Can convicted felons register to vote?
If you are currently under conviction, probation or parole for any felony, treason or election bribery you cannot register to vote. However, once your time has been served and you are no longer on probation or parole you CAN register to vote.
Where do I go to vote?
During early voting ONLY, you can vote at the Jefferson County Courthouse located at 100 E Washington St, Charles Town. Check the current election page for dates and times.
Voting on Election Day will be at your polling place from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can find your polling place here by entering your name and date of birth.
I cannot make it to my polling place on Election Day. Can I still vote?
If you cannot make it to early voting and/or your polling place on Election Day you may be eligible to vote an absentee ballot.
You are only eligible if one of the following apply:
- An injury, illness, physical disability, or advanced age prevents you from accessing the polling place.
- You are attending school out of the county or state.
- You are traveling outside of your county for business or personal reasons.
- You are incarcerated or serving home confinement for a misdemeanor and are still legally registered to vote.
- Your work hours and distance from the county seat make voting in person impossible.
- A work assignment requires you to temporarily live outside of your county (4 years or less).
- Service as an elected or appointed state or federal official requires you to temporarily live outside of your county.
If you are eligible, an absentee ballot application must be completed by hand and returned to the County Clerk’s office. The voter must sign or place their mark on the application. A power of attorney cannot sign for the voter.
Applications can be accepted starting on the 84th day before the election and received by the clerk no later than the 6th day before the election. The ballots will start to be mailed out the 46th day before the election. Once you receive the ballot, vote and return it as soon as possible.
I am active duty military, their spouse or dependent or a citizen residing overseas. How do I vote?
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) and West Virginia state law provide extended absentee voting opportunities to military and overseas voters. Voters covered by UOCAVA include members of uniformed services and merchant marines on active duty, along with their spouses and dependents, and United States citizens temporarily or permanently residing outside of the United States.
All the information on how to vote can be found on the WV Secretary of States website.
How does my party affiliation affect me in the Primary Election?
West Virginia has “closed” Primary Elections, meaning you are only permitted to vote a ballot from the party you designated on your voter registration application. There are 4 parties recognized by the state: Democrat, Libertarian, Mountain and Republican. If you are registered with any of the four you can only vote that party’s ballot. For example, if you are registered Democrat then you can only receive a Democratic ballot, if you are registered Republican you can only receive the Republican ballot and so on. If you request the ballot of a different political party other than your own, it will be processed as a challenged ballot and may not be counted.
However, if you are registered as anything else (i.e. independent, no party, constitution…) you can choose to vote a ballot from one of the 4 recognized parties. If you choose to vote a different party ballot you must request it from the poll worker. They cannot ask you which party ballot you would like to vote. If you do not request a party ballot you will only receive the non-partisan portion and any issues which may be on the ballot.
Does it matter what party I am registered with in the General Election?
No, your party does not affect you in the General Election. Everyone receives the same ballot.
How can I contact our local political parties?
Neither party maintains a headquarters throughout the year. The easiest way to contact them is through their websites.
Jefferson County Democrats: www.jcdems-wv.org
Jefferson County Republicans: www.jcwvgop.org
How can I contact members of the legislature?
A roster of the members of the State Senate can be found here.
Jefferson County is in the 16th Senatorial District.
A roster of the members of the House of Delegates can be found here.
Jefferson County has three delegate districts; 65th, 66th, and 67th. (Note that with the swearing-in of General Election winners after the November 8, 2022 General Election, Jefferson County will have four delegate districts: 97th, 98th, 99th, and 100th.)
Where can I find past election results?
Past election results from 2004 to present can be found by clicking here
Where can I find information on statewide candidates and elections?
You can find information about statewide candidates and elections on the WV Secretary of State's website. Click here to be redirected to the website.