West Virginia HB 5217 requires filing fees for write-in candidates

Original title: Providing for a filing fee for a write-in candidate

Last action · February 5, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsors: Joe Funkhouser and 6 others

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What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia House Bill 5217 requires write-in candidates in primary, general, or special elections to pay the same filing fees required for other candidates seeking that office, unless they qualify as a pauper. The bill also establishes deadlines for filing a write-in candidate's and outlines certification procedures for election officials.

Why it matters

Write-in candidates seeking public office in West Virginia must now pay the established filing fee for their desired office at the time of filing their , affecting anyone running a write-in campaign unless they meet indigency criteria.

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

Write-in candidates

Write-in candidates must pay filing fees for the office sought unless they qualify as indigent under the pauper provisions.

Directly affected

Secretary of State

The Secretary of State must prescribe the certificate form, post candidate names following the deadline, and certify names to county commission clerks.

Directly affected

County commission clerks

County clerks must post write-in candidate names and deliver them to appropriate precinct election officials.

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

Do write-in candidates have to pay a filing fee under this bill?

Yes, all declared write-in candidates must pay the filing fees required for the office at the time they present their .

Are there any exemptions from the write-in filing fee?

Yes, no filing fee is required for any write-in candidate who completes an affidavit requesting to file in , meaning their income and resources are insufficient under assistance standards.

When must write-in candidates submit their certificate of announcement?

Except in cases of ballot vacancies, the certificate must be received no later than the close of business on the forty-ninth day before the election.

What else do you want to know?

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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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