HB4865 is a bill in the West Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Providing for a program allowing election official trainees to be appointed as election officials.

What is the status of HB4865?

Signed into law as of April 1, 2026. Latest action: Chapter 135, Acts, Regular Session, 2026 (June 29, 2026).

Who sponsored HB4865?

Funkhouser, Joe (R, 098), with 10 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB4865?

On the West Virginia Legislature website: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4865&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session

West Virginia HB4865: Providing for a program allowing election official trainees to be appointed as election officials

Q: What does HB4865 do?

In its own words: An act to amend and reenact §3-1-28 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, providing for a program allowing election official trainees to be appointed as election officials; setting forth eligibility requirements for participation in the training program; allowing only one program participant from a political party per precinct; and prohibiting the appointed election official from being counted as absent from school. ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS. §3-1-28. Election officials; eligibility; suspension of eligibility. (a) To be eligible to be appointed or serve as an elec.

Status: Signed into law, April 1, 2026

What the bill says

An act to amend and reenact §3-1-28 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, providing for a program allowing election official trainees to be appointed as election officials; setting forth eligibility requirements for participation in the training program; allowing only one program participant from a political party per precinct; and prohibiting the appointed election official from being counted as absent from school. ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS. §3-1-28. Election officials; eligibility; suspension of eligibility. (a) To be eligible to be appointed or serve as an elec.

From the enrolled text, March 14, 2026:

AN ACT to amend and reenact §3-1-28 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, providing for a program allowing election official trainees to be appointed as election officials; setting forth eligibility requirements for participation in the training program; allowing only one program participant from a political party per precinct; and prohibiting the appointed election official from being counted as absent from school. ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS. §3-1-28. Election officials; eligibility; suspension of eligibility. (a) To be eligible to be appointed or serve as an election official in any state, county, or municipal election held in West Virginia, a (2) Must be able to read and write the English language; (3) May not be a candidate on the ballot or an official write-in candidate in the election for any office, other than for district, county, or state political party executive committee; (4) May not be the parent, child, sibling, or spouse of a candidate on the ballot for any office, other than for district, county, or state political party executive committee, or an official write-in candidate for any office, other than for district, county, or state political party executive committee, in the precinct where the official serves; (5) May not be a person prohibited from serving as an election official pursuant to any other federal or state …

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West Virginia HB4865: Providing for a program allowing election official trainees to be appointed as election officials

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