Ballot question
Amendment No. 1: Citizenship requirement to vote (constitutional amendment)
- On the ballot in
- West Virginia
- Vote
- Yes or no
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
The question, as printed on the ballot
Amendment No. 1: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in West Virginia Elections Amendment Summary of Purpose: This amendment provides that in all elections held in West Virginia only citizens of the United States who are citizens of this state are qualified to vote.
A “Yes” vote means
A vote FOR amends Article IV, Section 1 of the West Virginia Constitution to provide that only U.S. citizens who are citizens of the state are entitled to vote in West Virginia elections.
A “No” vote means
A vote AGAINST leaves Article IV, Section 1 unchanged; it would continue to provide that "citizens of the state" are entitled to vote.
Official plain English statement
This amendment provides that in all elections held in West Virginia only citizens of the United States who are citizens of this state are qualified to vote.
Proposed by the Legislature in Senate Joint Resolution 9 (adopted by the House on March 13, 2026, Roll No. 509, and finally by the Senate on March 14, 2026, Roll No. 638). The ballot prints the title and the Legislature's "Summary of Purpose", then FOR / AGAINST; plainEnglish repeats that official summary (the Secretary of State's public notice uses the same wording). West Virginia publishes no separate voter explanation. The current text of Article IV, Section 1 begins "Citizens of the state shall be entitled to vote" (introduced version of SJR 9 shows the inserted words).
Sources
- Official Ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election, Putnam County (sample, ballot style 1) · Putnam County Clerk
- Official Ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election, Jefferson County (sample ballot) · Jefferson County Clerk
- Secretary Warner issues a Public Notice of a proposed Amendment to the West Virginia Constitution that will appear on the November 3rd General Election Ballot · West Virginia Secretary of State
- Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 9 (2026 Regular Session) · West Virginia Legislature
- SJR 9: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in West Virginia Elections Amendment (bill status) · West Virginia Legislature
The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.