Plain English Breakdown
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HB4173 • 2026
Requiring candidates to live in the state or local election district for the office for which they are seeking
Requiring candidates to live in the state or local election district for the office for which they are seeking
Elections
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-01-14
H
To House Judiciary
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2026-01-14
H
Introduced in House
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2026-01-14
H
To Judiciary
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2026-01-14
H
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Requiring candidates to live in the state or local election district for the office for which they are seeking
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 4173 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version House Bill 4173 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced House Bill 4173 By Delegate Kump [Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §3-1-2b, relating to general election provisions; requiring all candidates for office to have their principal place of residence within the election districts for which they are seeking office; defining terms; setting forth facts which can be used to establish principal residence or domicile, and providing an exception. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS. §3-1-2b. Candidates must reside in the district they seek to represent. A candidate for election for any state, county, or local office is required to have his or her principal residence within the election district for the office for which they are seeking to be elected. For the purpose of this section, "principal residence" means the residence where the candidate is domiciled which includes both physical residency and an intent to remain in the state, district, county, or municipality. Facts that may demonstrate the domicile or principal residence of a person in the state, county, or municipality include, but are not limited to, the physical character of the person's residence(s); the person's time spent in the residence; the person's reasons for residency; whether the person intends on returning permanently to another residence outside of the state, district, county, or municipality in the future; whether the person obtains a license to operate a vehicle in the state; whether the person registers a vehicle(s) or other property at that address; the address listed on the person's vehicle registration card; the address listed on the person's voter registration card; the address listed on the person's driver's license; the address where the person receives state or federal benefits; and, where the person pays property or income taxes. The provisions of this section shall not apply to candidates for Circuit Court Judge, Family Court Judge, or Prosecuting Attorney. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require candidates to live in the state or local election district for the office for which they are seeking to be elected. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: