September is National Voter Registration Month, a time dedicated to one of the most important responsibilities of American citizenship: making sure you are registered and ready to vote.
In West Virginia, our elections belong to the people. Elections are the foundation of representative government and the mechanism through which citizens make their voices heard. That is why the WV Secretary of State’s Office and our 55 County Clerks are encouraging every eligible citizen to take a few minutes this month to verify their voter registration status, update their information if necessary, or register to vote for the very first time.
Today, West Virginia has approximately 1.2 million registered voters. That number reflects the strength of civic participation across the Mountain State. However, voter registration is not a one-time event. People move, change their last name, or update their mailing addresses. If your registration information is outdated, it could cause unnecessary delays or confusion when it is time to cast a ballot. The best time to make sure everything is correct is now, long before Election Day arrives.
Being prepared is part of being an informed and engaged citizen.
West Virginia has a proud history of expanding and protecting voting rights. Few states can claim a stronger connection to youth voting than ours. Sen. Jennings Randolph of Harrison County spent nearly three decades fighting to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, helping secure ratification of the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution. His belief was simple: if young Americans are old enough to serve their country, they are old enough to vote for their leaders.
That legacy continues today through the Secretary of State’s Jennings Randolph Award for Civic Engagement. This nationally recognized program honors West Virginia high schools that conduct student-led voter registration drives and register at least 85 percent of their eligible seniors to vote. Every year, thousands of new voters join the electoral process through the efforts of dedicated students, teachers, principals, county clerks, and election officials.
National Voter Registration Month is about more than paperwork. It is about citizenship. It is about taking ownership of our future and ensuring that every eligible West Virginian has the opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect our families, communities, and state.
Whether you’re an 18-year-old preparing to vote for the first time, a longtime voter who recently moved, a current voter who wants to change their political party affiliation, or someone who simply wants to double-check their information, now is the time to act. All of this can be done in person by visiting your local county clerk or online at GoVoteWV.com.
Registering takes only a few minutes, but it ensures that your voice can be heard when it matters most. The message is simple: be registered and be ready.
This September, I encourage every eligible West Virginian to make sure they are prepared for the November General Election. True representative leadership relies on citizen participation, and that participation begins with registering to vote.
Every voice matters, and every election begins with being ready.
