West Virginia became the 35th state on June 20, 1863.

Its civic profile is shaped by its Civil War creation, Appalachian communities, coal, labor history, forests, rivers, small towns, health care access, and economic transition. Public decisions about roads, broadband, schools, addiction services, energy, water, and local services often carry immediate consequences in mountain communities. West Virginia’s congressional delegation and state government structure follow below, along with links to verify anything firsthand.

Mountaineers are always free

State Motto
U.S. Representatives2Population-based districts
U.S. Senators2Same for every state
StatehoodJune 20, 186335th state admitted
Federal Delegation

West Virginia's voice in Congress.

Every state has two senators. Its number of representatives is set by population and can change after each census.

4Members total
2Districts
119thCurrent Congress
About Congress About the Senate About the House State Election Office

West Virginia's Delegation

Choose a member to see their contact information, congressional work, and committee assignments.

Senator

James Justice (Republican)

Senator

Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

District 1

Carol Miller (Republican)

District 2

Riley Moore (Republican)

The states are the laboratories of democracy.

Justice Louis Brandeis

State Leadership

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Governor

Patrick Morrisey (Republican)

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Lieutenant Governor

Randy E. Smith (Republican)

Quick Facts

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Capital

Charleston

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Population

Approximately 1.77 million

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Electoral votes

4

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Congressional districts

2

Official Links

Use these sources to check current state records, filings, elections, and public notices.

WV.gov

Official West Virginia state government portal.

West Virginia Legislature

State bill text, committee schedules, and session information.

Elections Office

Elections, voter registration, and official filings.

Congress.gov

Federal bill text, actions, sponsors, and public laws.

How West Virginia government works

West Virginia government works through executive agencies, the state legislature, and state courts. Use this tab to choose the right path: agencies for services, the legislature for bills and hearings, and courts for cases, records, forms, and legal-help resources.

Executive Branch

Governor, agencies, and public services

West Virginia’s executive branch is led by the governor and supported by statewide offices, departments, boards, and agencies. This is usually the best starting point for public services, licenses, benefits, public safety, transportation, revenue, employment, education, and other state-administered programs.

Legislative Branch

West Virginia Legislature

West Virginia’s legislature introduces bills, holds committee hearings, debates policy, approves state budgets, conducts oversight, and represents districts across West Virginia.

Judicial Branch

Courts, records, and legal help

West Virginia’s judicial branch handles trial-court cases, appeals, court administration, records, forms, and legal-help resources. Visitors dealing with a court date, filing, case search, legal form, or self-help question should start with the official state judiciary resources.

West Virginia voting guide

This state-page tab brings together practical voting resources for West Virginia voters. You can register or update your registration, check registration status, find where to vote, review ballot resources, learn about mail or absentee voting, and use official election-calendar links for final deadlines and dates.

Voting Tools

Plain-language tools that open inside this state voting tab.

WV Links

Official West Virginia election-office links for deadlines, registration, polling places, ballots, accessibility, rights, and state election calendars.

Official election officeRegister to vote or update registrationCheck registration statusAbsentee, mail, and early voting informationFind your polling placeFind ballot and election informationVoting accessibility resourcesVoting rights resourcesElection calendar and dates

While we do our best to provide accurate information, be sure to use your official state election calendar for final details.