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Bill

HJR 33

Right to run

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kayla Young

Proposes West Virginia constitutional amendment protecting candidates' right to run for office, potentially removing ballot access barriers and expanding electoral participation opportunities.

To House Judiciary
#legislature
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJR 33

Legislative bill overview

HJR 33 proposes a constitutional amendment establishing a "right to run" in West Virginia. Based on the title and sponsorship, this resolution likely seeks to protect citizens' ability to candidly participate in elections by removing or modifying barriers to ballot access for candidates. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for initial review.

Why is this important

Ballot access laws directly affect democratic participation and competition in elections. Removing unnecessary barriers could increase candidate diversity and voter choice, while clarifications on candidacy requirements affect how elections are administered at state and local levels. Constitutional amendments carry significant weight, as they establish foundational rights rather than statutory privileges.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: What constitutes the "right to run"—does it apply equally to all offices, or are there reasonable qualifications for certain positions?
  • Ballot access standards: Whether the amendment would eliminate residency requirements, filing fees, petition signatures, or other traditional qualification thresholds used to manage ballot crowding
  • Conflict with existing rules: How the amendment interacts with current West Virginia election law, party nomination procedures, and federal election requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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