Amendment 1: The Citizenship Voting Requirement
The single statewide measure certified for the 2026 general election is the 'Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment'. This legislatively referred constitutional amendment proposes to change the language in the West Virginia Constitution to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens are permitted to vote in state and local elections. The proposed text would alter Article IV, § 1 of the state constitution to read, 'Only citizens of the state who are citizens of the United States are entitled to vote'. The current wording simply says, 'The citizens of the state shall be entitled to vote'. This measure was placed on the ballot after passing unanimously in both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature during its 2026 regular session.
The Argument For the Amendment
Supporters of
the amendment, including its lead sponsor, State Senator Patricia Rucker, argue that it provides a necessary safeguard for election integrity. While both state and federal laws already prohibit noncitizens from voting, proponents argue that laws can be changed by a simple legislative majority. By enshrining this requirement in the state constitution, they contend it becomes a more permanent and durable protection that a future legislature could not easily alter. Backers also say it gives the state greater authority to enforce existing law and aligns West Virginia with a growing number of other states that have taken similar steps to amend their constitutions.
The Argument Against the Amendment
Opponents, including organizations like the League of Women Voters of West Virginia and the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, have labeled the amendment 'completely unnecessary'. They point out that because state law already firmly requires U.S. citizenship to register to vote, the amendment addresses a problem that doesn't exist. Critics argue that the measure could sow mistrust in the election process and perpetuates unfounded theories about noncitizen voting. Their position is that West Virginia's existing election safeguards are already strong and that the focus should be on enfranchising eligible voters, not creating redundant constitutional language.
What Your Vote Means
The choice for voters is straightforward. A 'yes' vote supports changing the West Virginia Constitution to add the explicit requirement that a voter must be a citizen of the United States. A 'no' vote opposes this change, which would leave the constitution as it is. If the amendment is defeated, the requirement for voters to be U.S. citizens would remain in place under existing state law, but it would not be added to the state's foundational document.
Don't Forget Your Local Measures
Beyond the statewide amendment, voters in certain counties may see additional measures specific to their communities. For example, voters in the Kanawha County School District will decide on two separate property tax increases. One measure would raise an estimated $32.87 million annually for education and school funding, while another would generate about $3.18 million per year to fund county public libraries. These types of local initiatives are common and give residents direct control over community funding and services. This is why it's crucial to review your entire ballot, as some of the most impactful decisions are often made at the local level.
