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HB 5275WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill 5275 defines eligibility circumstances for mail and electronic absentee voting

Original title: Providing the circumstances that a qualified voter is authorized to vote an absentee ballot by mail

Last action · February 5, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsors: Joe Funkhouser and 3 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia House Bill 5275 outlines specific circumstances under which registered and qualified voters may cast an absentee ballot by mail, in person during early voting, electronically, or on an emergency basis. The legislation details conditions related to medical confinement, travel, military or overseas service, temporary out-of-county employment, and emergency first responder duties.

Why it matters

Determines which registered voters qualify to bypass in-person voting booths based on medical status, geographic location, incarceration history, or emergency employment obligations.

Background

West Virginia House Bill 5275 was introduced during the 2026 regular legislative session by Delegates Funkhouser, Akers, Ridenour, and Martin at the request of the Secretary of State. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Registered and qualified voters

Voters gain explicit statutory conditions and allowances for casting ballots by mail, electronically, or on an emergency basis.

Directly affected

Absent uniformed services and overseas voters

Their authorization to use mail-in and electronic absentee voting is explicitly defined under federal and state provisions.

Directly affected

Qualified first responders

First responders called away on emergency duty outside their home county are explicitly authorized to vote via electronic absentee ballot.

Directly affected

County clerks

Clerks are granted the authority to require written medical confirmation before issuing emergency absentee ballots for late-onset confinement.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to vote an absentee ballot by mail under this bill?

Voters who are confined due to medical reasons or advanced age, incarcerated for non-election-bribery crimes, absent from the county due to travel, education, or work, serving as federal/state officers, participating in the , or whose assigned polling place is physically inaccessible.

Can first responders vote electronically if they are called away on duty?

Yes, s called away on emergency duty outside their county of residence are authorized to vote an electronic absentee ballot.

What conditions apply to emergency absentee voting for medical confinement?

Voters who become confined to a specific location on or after the 7th day preceding an election due to illness, injury, disability, or advanced age may vote an emergency absentee ballot, and county clerks may require written confirmation from a licensed medical professional.

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions

Feb 5, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Judiciary
Feb 5, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Feb 5, 2026HouseCommittee
To Judiciary
Feb 5, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed for introduction

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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