SB 59, on House Judiciary Committee Agenda for a Hearing, Mon, Mar 9, 9 am
We Made Some Noise on HB 5219 and it stalled. However, a companion bill passed the Senate and is now before the House Judiciary Committee.
SB 59 would establish new and complicated rules to determine residency to register and vote in WV.
SB 59 adds a new definition of “legal resident” to voter registration requirements, specifying factors that may demonstrate domicile. However, it relies not just on current residence but intent to remain at that residence “indefinitely.”
While framed as clarification, stricter definitions of residency will create barriers for mobile workers and others with complex residency situations, especially students.
LWV opposes such restrictions on voter registration. A particular red flag for the LWV is how SB 59 attempts to define residency in terms of future intent, not just current fact.
ACTIONS:
✳️ Read the Committee Substitute for SB 59 and submit a public comment here: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=59&year=2026&sessiontype=RS
✳️ Contact your Delegate and members of the House Judiciary Committee and ask them to OPPOSE this unnecessary bill.
House Judiciary Committee emails:
jb.akers@wvhouse.gov, jim.butler@wvhouse.gov, dana.ferrell@wvhouse.gov, bill.flanigan@wvhouse.gov, shawn.fluharty@wvhouse.gov, joe.funkhouser@wvhouse.gov, evan.hansen@wvhouse.gov, scot.heckert@wvhouse.gov, rick.hillenbrand@wvhouse.gov, josh.holstein@wvhouse.gov, michael.hornby@wvhouse.gov, buck.jennings@wvhouse.gov, laura.kimble@wvhouse.gov, larry.kump@wvhouse.gov, phil.mallow@wvhouse.gov, keith.marple@wvhouse.gov, carl.martin@wvhouse.gov, jordan.maynor@wvhouse.gov, chris.phillips@wvhouse.gov, bill.ridenour@wvhouse.gov, bill.roop@wvhouse.gov, andy.shamblin@wvhouse.gov, bryan.ward@wvhouse.gov, mark.zatezalo@wvhouse.gov
Find your Delegate here: https://fastdemocracy.com/find-your-legislators/