Fairmont, West Virginia Public Records

Public records related to law enforcement and crime in Fairmont are primarily managed by the Fairmont Police Department. Residents can request arrest records, mugshots, booking information, and criminal history data through the department's records unit. The Marion County Sheriff's Office, which oversees law enforcement in the surrounding areas, also operates the Marion County Detention Center, where additional records related to incarceration and inmate searches may be available.

Fairmont voters are served by the Marion County Clerk's Office, which administers elections at 217 Adams Street, Fairmont, WV 26554 (phone: 304-367-5440). The County Clerk serves as the chief election official for Marion County, handling voter registration, ballot preparation, poll worker recruitment, and election results certification. West Virginia residents can register to vote online through the West Virginia Secretary of State's website at ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register, which allows eligible citizens to complete registration electronically if they possess a valid West Virginia driver's license or state ID. The voter registration deadline is 21 days before any election. Voters must be U.S. citizens, West Virginia residents, and at least 18 years old by election day. Fairmont operates as an incorporated city with municipal elections for mayor and city council members. Fairmont city elections are held in odd-numbered years, with the next municipal election scheduled for May 2025 for city council seats. The mayor serves a four-year term, with the next mayoral election in 2027. City election information, including candidate filings and local ballot issues, is available through both City Hall at 304-366-6211 and the County Clerk's election division. Fairmont residents can find their assigned polling location by visiting the West Virginia Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at services.sos.wv.gov/Elections/Voter/FindMyPollingPlace or by contacting the Marion County Clerk. West Virginia makes several election records publicly accessible: voter registration lists (excluding certain confidential information) can be obtained by qualified requesters, campaign finance reports are filed with the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office and searchable at cfrs.wvsos.gov, candidate filings and financial disclosures are public records, and precinct-level election results are published by the County Clerk and Secretary of State. In the November 2024 presidential election, Marion County reported approximately 42% voter turnout with roughly 16,800 ballots cast from approximately 40,000 registered voters, reflecting typical midterm to presidential cycle turnout patterns. On November 3, 2026, Fairmont and Marion County voters will decide several significant races: West Virginia does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (next Senate election is 2024 and 2026 for the other seat), but voters will elect members of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 51st and 52nd districts which cover Marion County, and candidates for Marion County Commission seats, Marion County Sheriff, Marion County Clerk, County Assessor, and potentially school board positions. State judicial races may also appear on the ballot. West Virginia permits absentee voting for voters who will be absent from the county on election day, are physically disabled or ill, work during all hours polls are open, are confined due to illness or disability, have religious beliefs or practices preventing attendance, or are involved in election administration duties. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Marion County Clerk by six days before the election, and completed ballots must be returned by election day. Early in-person voting is available at locations designated by the County Clerk, typically beginning 13 days before election day and running through three days before election day. Detailed election information, sample ballots, and results are posted at www.marioncountywv.com and sos.wv.gov/elections.