Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study security of WV elections

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patricia Rucker

The bill directs a comprehensive study of West Virginia election integrity and security and the practicality of single-member Senate districts, with findings and possible legislati

To Judiciary

#resolutions(interimstudy)

Overview

Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 (SCR 4), introduced in the West Virginia Senate in 2026, requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the integrity and security of West Virginia elections. The study should also consider the practicality and feasibility of using single-member Senate districts. The resolution directs the committee to report findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the 2027 regular legislative session, including drafts of any necessary legislation. Expenses for the study would be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

Purpose and Intent

Assess the overall integrity and security of West Virginia’s election system.

Explore the practicality and feasibility of implementing single-member Senate districts.

Gather information from key stakeholders (Office of the Secretary of State, county clerks, and others) on:

Technological feasibility
Financial cost
Election security concerns
Practical feasibility for counties and the Secretary of State’s office under applicable deadlines
Other information relevant to potential implementation of single-member Senate districts

Key Provisions

Directs the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a comprehensive study on:

Election integrity and security in WV
The concept and viability of single-member Senate districts

Requires a final report to the Legislature in the 2027 regular session, including:

Findings and conclusions
Recommendations
Drafts of any proposed legislation necessary to implement recommendations

Specifies that study expenses be funded through legislative appropriations allocated to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance

Who/What Would Be Affected

The study would involve:

Office of the Secretary of State
County clerks and county election officials
Potentially other election administration stakeholders

If recommendations lead to legislation, the WV Legislature could consider changes to:

Election administration processes
Potential redistricting/representation structure (single-member Senate districts)

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced: February 20, 2026 (Senate)

Sponsor: Senator Patricia Rucker (co-sponsor)

Action path: Referred to Judiciary (on February 21, 2026) with subsequent action noted as “On Unfinished Business” and multiple referrals

Reporting deadline: To be reported to the regular session of 2027 with findings, conclusions, recommendations, and draft legislation

Funding: Study costs to be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance

Additional Notes

The resolution does not itself enact policy or change election rules; it initiates a formal study that could inform future legislation.

The emphasis on single-member Senate districts reflects ongoing consideration of how legislative representation and election administration interact with districting structures and election security.