Morgantown, West Virginia Public Records

West Virginia residents can register online at www. GoVoteWV.com, the official portal maintained by the Secretary of State. Applications must arrive at least 21 days before an election. Voters need acceptable identification such as a West Virginia driver's license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued photo ID. Those who move within Monongalia County can update their registration online. The state doesn't require party registration except for primary elections, where voters can request either party's ballot regardless of how they've voted before. The city operates under a city manager structure with a mayor and council elected on nonpartisan ballots. Municipal elections happen in spring of odd-numbered years Candidates file with the Morgantown City Clerk at City Hall, the local office (304-284-7431). Municipal election information, including candidate lists and local measures, flows through both the City Clerk and County Clerk. Council meetings and agendas are posted at www.morgantownwv.gov. Voters can locate their assigned polling place through the West Virginia Secretary of State's website at www. GoVoteWV.com by entering name and date of birth, or by calling the Monongalia County Clerk directly. Precincts are assigned by residential address. Early voting runs for approximately two weeks before each election at the Monongalia County Clerk's office, with some weekend hours available. During the November 2024 general election, the county recorded roughly 46,000 votes cast, a turnout of about 62% of registered voters, exceeding the state average and reflecting an engaged electorate.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Morgantown voters are published by the West Virginia Secretary of State Elections (https://sos.wv.gov/elections/). All 17 odd-numbered State Senate districts face elections, including Senate District 13 where the city falls. County-level offices include Monongalia County Commission seats, County Clerk, Sheriff, Assessor, and various other constitutional offices, all serving four-year terms. Judicial elections for magistrates and circuit judges may also appear depending on term expirations. West Virginia permits absentee voting for those who will be out of the county on election day, have a disability or illness, are age 65 or older, work during all polling hours, serve as election officials, or are confined awaiting trial. Applications are available from the Monongalia County Clerk or downloadable from the Secretary of State's website. The County Clerk must receive applications six days before the election for mail ballots, though in-person absentee voting continues at the Clerk's office until the Saturday before election day. Military and overseas voters have special provisions under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Election records available to the public include voter registration lists with certain personal information redacted, campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees through the West Virginia Secretary of State's Campaign Finance Reporting System, candidate filing information, and official results by precinct. The County Clerk posts unofficial results on election night and certifies official tallies within days after the canvass. Historical results are maintained by both the Monongalia County Clerk and Secretary of State. West Virginia statute W.Va. Code §3-2-24 governs public access to voter registration records, allowing inspection while protecting sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth.