(a) To be eligible to be appointed or serve as an election official in any state, county, or municipal election held in West Virginia, a person:
(1) Must be a registered voter of the county for elections held throughout the county and a registered voter of the municipality for elections held within the municipality: Provided, That if the required number of persons eligible to serve as election officials for a municipal election are not available or are not willing to serve as election officials for a municipal election, a registered voter of the county in which the municipality is located may serve as an election official for elections held within the municipality;
(2) Must be able to read and write the English language;
(3) May not be a candidate on the ballot or an official write-in candidate in the election for any office, other than for district, county, or state political party executive committee;
(4) May not be the parent, child, sibling, or spouse of a candidate on the ballot for any office, other than for district, county, or state political party executive committee, or an official write-in candidate for any office, other than for district, county, or state political party executive committee, in the precinct where the official serves;
(5) May not be a person prohibited from serving as an election official pursuant to any other federal or state statute; and
(6) May not have been previously convicted of a violation of any election law.
(b) The county commission may, upon majority vote, suspend the eligibility to serve as an election official in any election for four years for the following reasons:
(1) Failure to appear at the polling place at the designated time without proper notice and just cause;
(2) Failure to perform the duties of an election official as required by law;
(3) Improper interference with a voter casting a ballot or violating the secrecy of the voter’s ballot;
(4) Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while serving as an election official; or
(5) Having anything wagered or bet on an election.
(c) The county commission may, upon majority vote, suspend the eligibility to serve as an election official in any election for two years upon petition of 25 registered voters of the precinct where the official last served and upon presentation of evidence of any of the grounds set forth in §31-1-28(b) of this code: Provided, That the petition requesting the suspension of the election official is filed with the county commission at least 90 days prior to an election date. The names of those persons signing the petition must be kept confidential.
Structure West Virginia Code
Article 1. General Provisions and Definitions
§3-1-2. Scope of Chapter; Definitions
§3-1-3. Persons Entitled to Vote
§3-1-6. Municipal Voting Precincts
§3-1-7. Precinct Changes; Procedure; Precinct Record
§3-1-9. Political Party Committees; How Composed; Organization
§3-1-10. Party Committees in Office
§3-1-11. Powers of State Executive Committee; Central or Subcommittees; Party Emblems
§3-1-12. Members of National Party Committee
§3-1-13. Other Party or Group Committees
§3-1-14. Presidential Electors; How Chosen; Duties; Vacancies; Compensation
§3-1-15. Election of United States Senators and Congressmen
§3-1-16. Election of State Officers
§3-1-17. Election of Circuit Judges; County and District Officers; Magistrates
§3-1-18. Election to Fill Other Offices
§3-1-19. Ballot Commissioners; Selection; Duties Generally; Vacancies
§3-1-20. Cards of Instructions to Voters; Sample Ballots; Posting
§3-1-23. County Commission to Arrange Polling Places and Equipment; Requirements
§3-1-24. Obtaining and Delivering Election Supplies
§3-1-25. Supplies by Special Messenger
§3-1-26. Election Supplies in Emergencies
§3-1-27. Municipal Precinct Registration Records
§3-1-28. Election Officials; Eligibility, Suspension of Eligibility
§3-1-30a. Oaths of Election Commissioners and Poll Clerks, Substitution of Persons
§3-1-32. Opening and Closing Polls; Procedure
§3-1-33. How Elections Conducted by Double Boards
§3-1-35. Ballots to Be Furnished Voters
§3-1-36. Report on and Disposition of Ballots Spoiled or Not Used
§3-1-37. Restrictions on Presence and Conduct at Polls
§3-1-38. Disorder at Polls; Procedure
§3-1-39. Illegal Voting; Affidavit; Procedure
§3-1-43. Disposition of Miscellaneous Election Papers
§3-1-44. Compensation of Election Officials; Expenses
§3-1-45. Court Proceedings to Compel Performance of Duties, etc.
§3-1-46. Training Program for Election Officials
§3-1-49. Voting System Standards
§3-1-50. Establishment of State-Based Administrative Complaint Procedures
§3-1-51. Identity Verification of Voters Executing Voter Identity Affidavit