Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.

West Virginia state executive official elections, 2020

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge-smaller use.png

U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • State executive offices • State Senate • House of Delegates • Supreme court • Local judges • How to run for office
Flag of West Virginia.png


2024
2016
West Virginia state executive official elections
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Election details
Filing deadline: January 25, 2020
Primary: June 9, 2020
General: November 3, 2020
How to vote
Poll times: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Voting in West Virginia
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2020
Impact of term limits in 2020
State government trifectas and triplexes
Other state executive elections

Six state executive offices were up for election in West Virginia in 2020:

Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
Treasurer
Auditor
Commissioner of Agriculture

Candidates and election results

Governor

General election

General election for Governor of West Virginia

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of West Virginia on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jim Justice
Jim Justice (R)
 
63.5
 
497,944
Image of Ben Salango
Ben Salango (D)
 
30.2
 
237,024
Image of Erika Kolenich
Erika Kolenich (L) Candidate Connection
 
2.9
 
22,527
Image of S. Marshall Wilson
S. Marshall Wilson (Independent) (Write-in)
 
1.9
 
15,120
Image of Daniel Lutz Jr.
Daniel Lutz Jr. (Mountain Party)
 
1.4
 
11,309
Image of Michael Folk
Michael Folk (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
199
Mitch Roberts (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
152
Image of Quintin Gerard Caldwell
Quintin Gerard Caldwell (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
6
Kimberly Gross (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
6

Total votes: 784,287
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of West Virginia

Ben Salango defeated Stephen Smith, Ron Stollings, Jody Murphy, and Douglas Hughes in the Democratic primary for Governor of West Virginia on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Ben Salango
Ben Salango
 
38.7
 
74,554
Image of Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith Candidate Connection
 
33.8
 
65,056
Image of Ron Stollings
Ron Stollings
 
13.3
 
25,686
Image of Jody Murphy
Jody Murphy
 
9.3
 
17,968
Douglas Hughes
 
4.8
 
9,201

Total votes: 192,465
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of West Virginia

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of West Virginia on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jim Justice
Jim Justice
 
62.8
 
133,026
Image of H. Woody Thrasher
H. Woody Thrasher
 
18.3
 
38,796
Image of Michael Folk
Michael Folk
 
12.5
 
26,461
Doug Six Candidate Connection
 
2.1
 
4,419
Larry Brooke Lunsford
 
1.8
 
3,844
Shelby Fitzhugh
 
1.3
 
2,762
Image of Charles Sheedy
Charles Sheedy Candidate Connection
 
1.2
 
2,535

Total votes: 211,843
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Governor of West Virginia

Erika Kolenich advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of West Virginia on April 8, 2020.

Candidate
Image of Erika Kolenich
Erika Kolenich (L) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Mountain Party convention

Mountain Party convention for Governor of West Virginia

Daniel Lutz Jr. advanced from the Mountain Party convention for Governor of West Virginia on June 20, 2020.

Candidate
Image of Daniel Lutz Jr.
Daniel Lutz Jr. (Mountain Party)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.


Attorney General

General election

General election for Attorney General of West Virginia

Incumbent Patrick Morrisey defeated Sam Petsonk in the general election for Attorney General of West Virginia on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Patrick Morrisey
Patrick Morrisey (R)
 
63.8
 
487,250
Image of Sam Petsonk
Sam Petsonk (D)
 
36.2
 
276,798

Total votes: 764,048
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Attorney General of West Virginia

Sam Petsonk defeated Isaac Sponaugle in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of West Virginia on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sam Petsonk
Sam Petsonk
 
50.1
 
86,490
Image of Isaac Sponaugle
Isaac Sponaugle
 
49.9
 
86,263

Total votes: 172,753
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of West Virginia

Incumbent Patrick Morrisey advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of West Virginia on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Patrick Morrisey
Patrick Morrisey
 
100.0
 
175,292

Total votes: 175,292
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.


Secretary of State

General election

General election for West Virginia Secretary of State

Incumbent Mac Warner defeated Natalie Tennant in the general election for West Virginia Secretary of State on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mac Warner
Mac Warner (R)
 
58.3
 
447,537
Image of Natalie Tennant
Natalie Tennant (D)
 
41.7
 
320,650

Total votes: 768,187
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia Secretary of State

Natalie Tennant advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia Secretary of State on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Natalie Tennant
Natalie Tennant
 
100.0
 
181,161

Total votes: 181,161
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia Secretary of State

Incumbent Mac Warner advanced from the Republican primary for West Virginia Secretary of State on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mac Warner
Mac Warner
 
100.0
 
179,904

Total votes: 179,904
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates


Treasurer

General election

General election for West Virginia Treasurer

Riley Moore defeated incumbent John Perdue in the general election for West Virginia Treasurer on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Riley Moore
Riley Moore (R)
 
56.3
 
425,745
John Perdue (D)
 
43.7
 
330,316

Total votes: 756,061
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia Treasurer

Incumbent John Perdue advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia Treasurer on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
John Perdue
 
100.0
 
175,839

Total votes: 175,839
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia Treasurer

Riley Moore advanced from the Republican primary for West Virginia Treasurer on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Riley Moore
Riley Moore
 
100.0
 
169,798

Total votes: 169,798
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.


State Auditor

General election

General election for West Virginia State Auditor

Incumbent John B. McCuskey defeated Mary Ann Claytor in the general election for West Virginia State Auditor on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John B. McCuskey
John B. McCuskey (R)
 
67.0
 
496,845
Image of Mary Ann Claytor
Mary Ann Claytor (D)
 
33.0
 
244,427

Total votes: 741,272
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia State Auditor

Mary Ann Claytor advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia State Auditor on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mary Ann Claytor
Mary Ann Claytor
 
100.0
 
161,237

Total votes: 161,237
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia State Auditor

Incumbent John B. McCuskey advanced from the Republican primary for West Virginia State Auditor on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John B. McCuskey
John B. McCuskey
 
100.0
 
172,441

Total votes: 172,441
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.


Commissioner of Agriculture

General election

General election for West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Kent Leonhardt defeated Robert Beach in the general election for West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kent Leonhardt
Kent Leonhardt (R)
 
65.0
 
480,386
Image of Robert Beach
Robert Beach (D)
 
35.0
 
258,912

Total votes: 739,298
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture

Robert Beach defeated David Miller and William Keplinger in the Democratic primary for West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Robert Beach
Robert Beach
 
48.2
 
83,997
David Miller
 
26.0
 
45,329
William Keplinger
 
25.8
 
44,963

Total votes: 174,289
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Kent Leonhardt defeated Roy L. Ramey in the Republican primary for West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kent Leonhardt
Kent Leonhardt
 
63.3
 
115,217
Image of Roy L. Ramey
Roy L. Ramey
 
36.7
 
66,780

Total votes: 181,997
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Context of the 2020 elections

Party control in West Virginia

West Virginia Party Control: 1992-2024
Nineteen years of Democratic trifectas  •  Seven years of Republican trifectas

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Governor D D D D D R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D[1] R R R R R R R
Senate D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R
House D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R

Voter information

How the primary works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. West Virginia utilizes a semi-closed primary system where parties may decide if unaffiliated voters can vote in their primaries.[2][3]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Poll times

In West Virginia, all polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. A voter who is in line at the time polls close must still be permitted to vote.[4]

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in West Virginia, an individual must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of West Virginia, and at least 18 years of age by the date of the next general election.[5]

The registration deadline is 21 days prior to an election. An individual may register to vote by submitting a form by mail to his or her county clerk's office or the Secretary of State's Office. Registration can be completed online, in person at the county clerk's office, the Secretary of State's office, the Department of Motor Vehicles, any public assistance office, any agency that serves people with disabilities, any marriage license office, or any military recruiting agency.[5]

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

West Virginia automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles.[6]

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

West Virginia has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

West Virginia does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

An individual must have resided in the state for at least 30 days of residency before they may vote.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

West Virginia does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[7] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The West Virginia Secretary of State's office allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.

Voter ID requirements

West Virginia requires voters to present identification while voting. The identification provided must be issued either by the State of West Virginia, or one of its subsidiaries, or by the United States government.[8][9]

Signed into law in 2025, HB 3016 established that a document was valid if it:[9]

(A) Has been issued either by the State of West Virginia, one of its political subdivisions or instrumentalities, or by the United States Government;
(B) Contains the name of the person desiring to vote; and
(C) Contains a photograph of the person desiring to vote: Provided, That a driver’s license or identification card issued in accordance with §17B-2-1(f)(4) of this code that does not contain a photograph of the person desiring to vote is a valid identifying document.[10]

State law enumerates the following identifications that an individual may use to vote:[9]

(A) A valid West Virginia driver’s license or valid West Virginia identification card issued by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, including a driver’s license or identification card issued in accordance with §17B-2-1(f)(4) of this code.
(B) A valid driver’s license issued by a state other than the State of West Virginia;
(C) A valid United States passport or passport card;
(D) A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible voter issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States Government or of the State of West Virginia, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of West Virginia;
(E) A valid student identification card with a photograph of the eligible voter issued by an institution of higher education in West Virginia, or a valid high school identification card issued by a West Virginia high school;
(F) A valid military identification card issued by the United States with a photograph of the person desiring to vote; or
(G) A valid voter registration card that includes the voter’s photograph issued by a county clerk in the State of West Virginia or the Secretary of State. The county clerk or the Secretary of State may not charge or collect a fee for the application or issuance of a voter registration card that includes the voter’s photograph.[10]

Lastly, state law provided for the following exceptions and alternative methods of verifying a voter's identity:[9]

(3) Any expired document identified in §3-1-34(a)(2) of this code is a valid identifying document if presented by a registered voter 65 years of age or older: Provided, That the identifying document was not expired on the registered voter’s 65th birthday.
(4) In lieu of providing a valid identifying document, as required by this section, a registered voter may be accompanied at the polling place by an adult known to the registered voter for at least six months. That adult may sign an affidavit on a form provided to clerks and poll workers by the Secretary of State, which states under oath or affirmation that the adult has known the registered voter for at least six months, and that in fact the registered voter is the same person who is present for the purpose of voting. For the affidavit to be considered valid, the adult shall present a valid identifying document with his or her name, address, and photograph.
(5) A poll worker may allow a voter, whom the poll worker has known for at least six months, to vote without presenting a valid identifying document.
(6) If the person desiring to vote is unable to furnish a valid identifying document, or if the poll clerk determines that the proof of identification presented by the voter does not qualify as a valid identifying document, the person desiring to vote shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot after executing an affidavit affirming his or her identity pursuant to §3-1-34(a)(6)(B) of this code.[10]

Voters can obtain a free voter ID card at their county clerk’s office.[11]

Early voting

West Virginia permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

Absentee voting

Voters in West Virginia are eligible to vote absentee in an election "if the voter is 'confined,' or not in their home county, for the entire duration of in-person voting (both the early voting period and on Election Day)," for one of the following reasons:[12]

  • “Injury or illness”
  • “Disability or 'extreme advanced age'”
  • “Incarceration or home detention (does not include individuals convicted of any felony, treason, or election bribery)”
  • “Work hours and distance from county seat”
  • “Inaccessible early voting site and polling place”
  • “Personal or business travel”
  • “Attendance at college or other place of education or training”
  • “Temporary residence outside of the county”
  • “Service as an elected or appointed state or federal official”

To vote absentee, a request must be received by the county clerk no later than the sixth day prior to the election.[13]

Past elections

2018

There were no state executive elections in West Virginia in 2018.

See also

West Virginia State Executive Elections News and Analysis
Seal of West Virginia.png
StateExecLogo.png
Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
West Virginia State Executive Offices
West Virginia State Legislature
West Virginia Courts
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
West Virginia elections: 2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. Gov. Jim Justice switched his registration to Republican on August 4, 2017.
  2. West Virginia State Legislature, "WV Code § 3-4A-20," accessed June 30, 2025
  3. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed June 30, 2025
  4. West Virginia Secretary of State, "Elections Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)," accessed June 30, 2025
  5. 5.0 5.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Elections Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)," accessed June 30, 2025
  6. NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed June 30, 2025
  7. Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
  8. West Virginia State Legislature, "West Virginia Code, §3-1-34. Voting procedures generally; identification; assistance to voters; voting records; penalties." accessed May 2, 2023
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 West Virginia Legislature, "House Bill 3016 (2025)," accessed June 27, 2025
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  11. West Virginia Secretary of State, "Be Registered and Ready" accessed June 29, 2025
  12. West Virginia Secretary of State, “Eligibility for Absentee Voting In West Virginia,” accessed June 30, 2025
  13. West Virginia Secretary of State, “Absentee Voting Information,” accessed June 30, 2025