West Virginia

West Virginia

Welcome to the portal for Ballotpedia's coverage of West Virginia politics! Ballotpedia's encyclopedic coverage of West Virginia politics includes information on the local, state and federal levels, as well as state policies.

West Virginia, nicknamed "The Mountain State," is bordered by Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. It was the 35th state to be admitted to the Union. West Virginia’s capital and largest city is Charleston.

West Virginia has two members of the U.S. Senate, a total of two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 34 members of the State Senate and 100 members of the House of Representatives.

State Leadership

Governor

R

Jim Justice

Secretary of State

R

Mac Warner

Speaker of the House

R

Roger Hanshaw

Capital:

Charleston

Motto:

Montani semper liberi

Translation:

Mountaineers are always free

Population:

1,795,045

Land Area of State:

24,041 square miles

Admitted to U.S.:

1863

Cities and counties in West Virginia

Ballotpedia provides comprehensive election coverage in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population and also covers mayoral, city council, and district attorney elections in every state capital. Additionally, Ballotpedia covers school board elections in the 200 largest U.S. school districts by enrollment.

West Virginia fact checks

Policy issues in West Virginia

Budget: Budget and finances • Taxes‎
Civil liberties: Affirmative action • Campaign finance • Nonprofit regulation‎
Education: Charter schools • Higher education • Public education • School choice‎
Election: Ballot access requirements • Redistricting • Voting‎
Energy: Energy information • Fracking‎
Environment: Environmental information • Endangered species‎
Finance: Financial regulation information‎
Healthcare: Healthcare information • Medicaid spending • Effect of the Affordable Care Act‎
Immigration: Immigration information‎
Pensions: Public pensions‎