Ohio County 2022 elections voter guide: What you need to know (2024)

Election season is upon us, and while presidential candidates aren’t on the ballot this year, West Virginians will weigh in on a lot of important initiatives and races. There are four state constitutional amendments on the ballot, as well as the state’s two U.S. representatives, half of the 34 state Senate seats, each of the 100 House of Delegates seats and many city and county races.

Voting in Ohio County

In Ohio County, and all of West Virginia, early voting starts on Oct. 26.

You can vote early from Oct. 26 through Nov. 5 at the Ohio County Courthouse. More information, including address and hours, is here.

Unlike in recent years, voting by mail is only available for West Virginians who are unable to vote in person for reasons like illness, incarceration, work schedule and travel. Here’s more information about voting absentee.

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, polls in Ohio County will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can check your registration and find your polling place here.

Constitutional Amendments

There are four proposed amendments to the West Virginia Constitution on every state ballot. They include:

• Amendment 1 – Impeachment trials. If approved by voters, this amendment would bar all state courts from interfering with impeachment trials conducted by the West Virginia Legislature.
• Amendment 2 – Property taxes. If approved by voters, this amendment would allow the state Legislature to adjust property taxes paid on business inventory; business machinery and equipment; and personal vehicles.
• Amendment 3 – Incorporation of churches. If approved by voters, churches would be allowed to incorporate in West Virginia, which is the only state in the nation that does not allow the practice in its constitution.
• Amendment 4 – Board of Education. If approved by voters, state lawmakers would have the final say over policies and rules created by the West Virginia Board of Education.

Click here for more information about the constitutional amendments.

Candidates

Below, you’ll find candidates that are on ballots for Ohio County residents, though some depend on where you live. If you’re viewing on a computer, click the triangles in the shaded boxes to learn more about the candidates.

U.S. House of Representatives

West Virginia has two congressional districts, which each elect a congressperson to represent the district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ohio County is part of West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.

West Virginia House of Delegates

Ohio County is part of three West Virginia House districts. The people elected to represent these districts will serve in the West Virginia House of Delegates, where regular citizens serve part-time in Charleston. There are 100 delegates in the West Virginia Legislature; the districts are divided based on population.

Delegates are elected to two-year terms. Candidates have to be at least 18 years old, and have lived in their district for a year.

West Virginia State Senate

Ohio County is part of West Virginia’s 1st Senate District. Like delegates, state senators are regular citizens who serve part-time in the Legislature. However, there are fewer of them: 34 senators in total.

To run for the West Virginia Senate, candidates have to be at least 25 years old and have lived in the state for five years.

County races

There are three county races on Ohio County ballots.

These are all of the races that are listed on the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website, but there may be other local races on your ballot! For more information about Ohio County races call the Ohio County Clerk at 304-234-3656.

If you see an error in our voter guide, or want to provide more information about one of the candidates, please email us at contact@mountainstatespotlight.org.