HB 5219
Relating to defining residence for the purpose of registration and voting in West Virginia
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill clarifies the definition of ‘residence’ for the purpose of voter registration and voting in West Virginia. It outlines specific rules for election officials to determine a person’s residence, considering factors like where a person’s habitual sleeping area is located, temporary absences, and the intention to establish a permanent home. The bill also addresses situations involving school teachers and government employees, and clarifies rules regarding challenging voter registrations.
Key provisions
- Election officials must consider where a person’s usual sleeping area is located when determining residency.
- Individuals can challenge a voter registration application if they believe the applicant’s residency is in question.
- Temporary absences outside of West Virginia will not automatically result in loss of residency.
- A person must intend to make a new location a permanent home to establish residency there.
- School teachers temporarily residing in a county to teach are considered residents of their parents’ or relatives’ county.
- Government employees temporarily residing in a county for state service are not considered to have lost residency.
- Spouses can establish a separate domicile for voting purposes.
- Students attending school can claim the college community as their domicile.
Who is affected
- West Virginia Voters
- Election Officials
- Residents of West Virginia
- Students attending school
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