West Virginia bill requires separate voting machines for training and mandates strict pre-election equipment testing

Original title: The purpose of this bill is to require counties to utilize separate voting machines from those used for voting in an election, and to require testing of the automatic tabulating equipment prior to its use in an election.

Last action · February 5, 2026: To House JudiciarySponsors: Erica Moore and 8 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

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Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

West Virginia counties are required to use separate electronic voting systems exclusively for training purposes, distinct from those used in actual elections, unless an emergency machine failure or lack of funds occurs. The measure also mandates rigorous pre-election testing of and strict security protocols for voting devices used during early voting.

Why it matters

County election officials must purchase or designate separate training machines and follow new multi-lock security and public testing procedures, altering how election equipment is managed and prepared across the state.

Background

The West Virginia Legislature convenes annually, with regular sessions addressing state laws including election administration and voting systems under Chapter 3 of the West Virginia Code. 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

County clerks

County clerks must submit security policies to the Secretary of State, conduct automatic tabulating equipment tests, secure early voting media, and maintain custody of keys for sealed test containers.

Directly affected

County commissions

County commissions must give public notice of equipment tests, certify test results in writing, and maintain individual keys for the multiple locks on sealed test containers.

Directly affected

West Virginia voters

Voters cast ballots on electronic systems subject to mandatory pre-election testing, secure early voting device clearing, and separate training equipment restrictions.

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

Can counties use the same voting machines for training and actual elections?

No, counties are required to use separate electronic voting systems designated exclusively for training purposes, unless an emergency machine failure occurs or the county lacks sufficient funds to purchase separate units.

What happens if a county uses a training machine in an election due to a lack of funds?

If a county does not have sufficient funds to purchase training-specific machines, it must test and certify the training machine free from error in accordance with statutory requirements prior to using it in an election.

Who is allowed to attend the pre-election testing of automatic tabulating equipment?

The test is open to representatives of political parties, candidates, the press, and the general public.

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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