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WV Code § 3-7-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 7. Contested Elections|§3-7-2. Procedure of Legislature on Contest for Office of Governor

When the election of Governor is contested, the notice of contest and the depositions shall be referred to a joint committee of the two houses, for examination and report, which committee shall consist of two senators elected by ballot by the Senate, and three delegates elected in the same manner by the House of Delegates. The contest shall be determined by the Legislature, both houses thereof sitting in joint session in the hall of the House of Delegates, and the President of the Senate shall preside.
WV Code § 3-7-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 7. Contested Elections|§3-7-4. Contests of Seats in Legislature; Notices and Procedure

Any person intending to contest the election of another as senator or delegate shall, within ten days after the election is certified, give him or her notice thereof in writing and a list of the votes he or she will dispute, with the objections to each, and of the votes rejected for which he or she will contend. If the contestant objects to the legality of the election or the qualification of the person returned, the notice shall set forth the facts on which the objection is founded. The person whose election is contested shall, within ten days after receiving the notice, deliver to the contestant a like list of the votes he or she will dispute and of the objection to each, and of the rejected votes he or she will claim; and, if he or she has any objection to the qualification of the contestant, shall specify in the notice the facts on which the objection is founded. Each party shall append to the notice an affidavit that the matters therein set forth, so far as they are stated of his or her knowledge, are true and that, so far as they are stated on the information of others, he or she believes them to be true. If new facts are discovered by either party after he or she has given notice, he or she may give an additional notice or notices to his or her adversary, with specifications and affidavit as above prescribed.The notice of contest shall be presented to the proper branch of the Legislature, within ten days after its meeting.
WV Code § 3-7-5 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 7. Contested Elections|§3-7-5. Depositions; Subpoenas; Time; Tie Vote Decision

Either party may begin to take the depositions in such contests for seats in the Legislature at any time after the delivery of the original notice by the contestant. But reasonable notice of every such deposition shall be given, and such notice shall specify the names of the witnesses to be examined. The depositions may be taken before a justice, notary, or any officer authorized to take depositions in civil suits; and the officer before whom they are taken shall certify and seal the same, and endorse his name across the place where they are sealed, and address and transmit the same, by mail or otherwise, to the clerk of the body in which the seat is contested. When the contest is referred to a committee, the clerk shall deliver the depositions to such committee for examination and report. The parties shall finish taking depositions five days at least before the second Wednesday of January next following. Neither party shall have the benefit of any deposition taken otherwise than as aforesaid, unless further time be given by resolution of the proper branch of the Legislature.Subpoenas for witnesses shall be issued by the clerk of the circuit court, or by a justice, upon application of either party; and witnesses shall be entitled to the same allowances and privileges, and be subject to the same penalties, as if summoned to attend before the circuit court in civil suits.If it be ascertained that an equal number of legal votes was given for the contestant and the person returned, the Senate or the House of Delegates, as the case may be, in which the contest is pending, shall declare which of them is elected.
WV Code § 3-7-6 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 7. Contested Elections|§3-7-6. County and District Contests; Notices; Time

In all cases of contested elections, the county commission shall be the judge of the election, qualifications and returns of their own members and of all county and district officers: Provided, That a member of the county commission whose election is being contested may not participate in judging the election, qualifications and returns.A person intending to contest the election of another to any county or district office, including judge of any court or any office that shall hereafter be created to be filled by the voters of the county or of any magisterial or other district therein, shall, within ten days after the result of the election is certified, give the contestee notice in writing of such intention and a list of the votes he will dispute, with the objections to each, and of the votes rejected for which he will contend. If the contestant objects to the legality of the election or the qualification of the person returned as elected, the notice shall set forth the facts on which such objection is founded. The person whose election is so contested shall, within ten days after receiving such notice, deliver to the contestant a like list of the votes he will dispute, with the objections to each, and of the rejected votes for which he will contend; and, if he has any objection to the qualification of the contestant, he shall specify in writing the facts on which the objection is founded. Each party shall append to his notice an affidavit that he verily believes the matters and things set forth to be true. If new facts be discovered by either party after he has given notice as aforesaid, he may, within ten days after such discovery, give an additional notice to his adversary, with the specifications and affidavit prescribed in this section.The provisions of this section apply to all elections, including municipal elections, except that the governing body of the municipality is the judge of any contest of a municipal election.
WV Code § 3-7-7 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 7. Contested Elections|§3-7-7. County Court to Hear County and District Contests; Procedure; Review

The county court shall hear and decide election contests initiated pursuant to the provisions of the preceding section. Subpoenas for witnesses for either party shall be issued by the clerk of the county court, and served as in other cases, and the witnesses shall be entitled to the same allowances and privileges, and be subject to the same penalties, as witnesses attending a circuit court in a civil suit. The notice of contest shall be presented to the county court at its first term after the same is delivered to the person whose election is contested, and the same shall be docketed for trial in such court. At the trial of such contest, the court shall hear all such legal and proper evidence that may be brought before it by either party, and may, if deemed necessary, require the production of the poll books, certificates and ballots deposited with its clerk, and examine the same. The hearing may be continued by the court from time to time, if it be shown that justice and right require it, but not beyond three months from the day of election. At the final trial of such contest the court shall declare the true result of such election, and cause the same to be entered on the records of the court. When the result of the election is declared, as aforesaid, a certified copy of the order declaring such result shall, if required, be delivered by the clerk of the court to the person declared elected, if such be the result of the trial, and such copy shall be received in all courts and places as legal evidence of the result of the election therein declared. Either the contestant or contestee shall have the right of appeal to the circuit court of the county from the final order or decision of the county court in such proceeding, upon the filing of a bond with good personal security, by the party desiring the appeal, to be approved by the county court, in a sum deemed sufficient by such court, with condition to the effect that the person proposing to appeal will perform and satisfy any judgment which may be rendered against him by the circuit court on such appeal. But such appeal shall not be granted unless the party desiring the appeal shall make application for such appeal, and file such bond, within thirty days from the entering of the final order in such proceeding; and the circuit court may at any time require a new bond or increase the penalty thereof when the court deems it necessary. When such appeal is taken to the circuit court, as hereinbefore provided, it shall be heard and determined upon the original papers, evidence, depositions and records filed before and considered by the county court, and the circuit court shall decide the contest upon the merits. From the decision of the circuit court, an appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court of Appeals, as in other cases, but such appeal shall be heard upon the original papers and copies of all orders made, without requiring the same to be printed.
WV Code § 3-7-8 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 7. Contested Elections|§3-7-8. Correction of Returns; Extent

Though illegal votes be received, or legal votes be rejected, at any place of voting, the returns of the votes taken at such place shall not be set aside for that cause, but it may be shown, by proper evidence before the tribunal authorized by law to hear and determine contested elections, for whom such illegal votes or any of them were cast, or for whom the legal votes which were rejected would have been given, and the returns shall be corrected only to the extent that it is so shown.
WV Code § 3-7-9 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 7. Contested Elections|§3-7-9. Costs in Election Contests

The cost of every contested election shall include only the expenses of serving notices, taking depositions and the allowances to witnesses; and shall be noted at the foot of every deposition or set of depositions, by the person taking the same. If the contestant fails in setting aside the election, there shall be awarded against him the amount of such costs incurred or expended by the person who was returned or declared elected. Otherwise, each party shall pay his own costs; unless it appears that the person returned or declared elected was guilty of fraud or malpractice in the election, or in procuring such return or declaration, in which case costs shall be awarded against him in favor of the contestant. Where costs are awarded in favor of either party, the amount thereof shall be ascertained under direction of the house joint session, or court, which decides the case, and a certificate thereof, authenticated by the signature of the presiding officer, shall be delivered to the party in whose favor they are awarded, which certificate shall have the force of a judgment, and if such costs be not paid within ten days after the date thereof, the clerk of the circuit court, of the county in which the party against whom the costs were awarded resides, may issue execution on such certificate, upon its delivery to such clerk, in like manner as upon a judgment of the circuit court. But no person contesting the seat of another in the Legislature shall be entitled to pay or mileage if the contest fails.
WV Code § 3-8-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 8. Regulation and Control of Elections|§3-8-3. Committee Treasurers; Required to Receive and Disburse Funds

Every political committee shall appoint and retain a treasurer to receive, keep and disburse all sums of money which may be collected or received by such committee, or by any of its members, for election expenses, and, unless such treasurer is first appointed and thereafter retained, it shall be unlawful for any such committee or any of its members to collect, receive or disburse money for any such purposes. All moneys collected or received by any such committee, or by any of its members, for election expenses shall be paid over to, and pass through the hands of, the treasurer, and shall be disbursed by him, and it shall be unlawful for any such committee, or any of its members, to disburse any money for election expenses unless such money shall be paid to, and disbursed by, the treasurer. The same person may be designated to act as treasurer for two or more political party committees.
WV Code § 3-8-4a (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 8. Regulation and Control of Elections|§3-8-4a. Termination of Political Committees

(a) A political committee may terminate by filing a written request, in accordance with the provisions of section four of this article, and by stating in the request that it will no longer receive any contributions or make any disbursements and that it has no outstanding debts or obligations. At such time, any excess funds of the committee may be transferred to a political committee established by the same candidate pursuant to the provisions of section four or five-e of this article.(b) The provisions of this section may not be construed to eliminate or limit the authority of the Secretary of State, in consultation with the state election commission, to establish procedures for: (1) The determination of insolvency with respect to any political committee; (2) the orderly liquidation of an insolvent political committee and the orderly application of its assets for the reduction of outstanding debts; and (3) the termination of an insolvent political committee after such liquidation and application of assets.(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any political committee which has been terminated within three years prior to the effective date of the reenactment of this section during the regular session of the Legislature in the year 2002, pursuant to a written request made in accordance with the provisions of section four of this article, may file a written request and be authorized by the Secretary of State to reestablish the political committee. Any request to reestablish a political committee pursuant to the provisions of this subsection must be filed on or before July 1, 2002. The provisions of this subsection may not be construed to increase the maximum contribution authorized during an election cycle, as provided in section twelve of this article.
WV Code § 3-8-5b (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 8. Regulation and Control of Elections|§3-8-5b. Where Financial Statements and Reports Shall Be Filed; Filing Date Prescribed

(a) The financial statements provided for in this article shall be filed, by or on behalf of candidates, with:(1) The Secretary of State for legislative offices, circuit judge, and family court judge, and for statewide and other offices to be nominated or elected by the voters of a political division greater than a county;(2) The clerk of the county commission by candidates for offices to be nominated or elected by the voters of a single county or a political division within a single county, except circuit judge and family court judge; or(3) The proper municipal officer by candidates for office to be nominated or elected to municipal office.(b)(1) The following statements or reports shall be filed electronically, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of State: (A) Financial statements filed by or on behalf of candidates for Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture, State Senate, House of Delegates, Supreme Court of Appeals, circuit judge, or family court judge;(B) Financial statements filed by political committees; (C) Electioneering communication reports; and(D) Independent expenditure reports.(2) If through or by no fault of the candidate the candidate is unable to file the campaign financial statement, the candidate shall then file said statement in person, via facsimile or other electronic means of transmission, or by certified mail postmarked at the first reasonable opportunity.(3) Committees required to report electronically may apply to the State Election Commission for an exemption from mandatory electronic filing in the case of hardship. An exemption may be granted at the discretion of the State Election Commission.(c) Candidates for all offices not identified in subsection (b) of this section may file financial statements by mail, in person, by facsimile, or by other electronic means of transmission. For purposes of this article, the filing date of a financial statement shall, in the case of mailing, be the date of the postmark of the United States Postal Service, and in the case of hand delivery or delivery by facsimile or other electronic means of transmission, the date delivered to the office of the Secretary of State, or to the office of the clerk of the county commission, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, during regular business hours of that office.(d) The sworn financial statements required to be filed by this section with the Secretary of State shall be posted on the Internet by the Secretary of State within 10 business days from the date the financial statement is filed.
WV Code § 3-8-5c (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 8. Regulation and Control of Elections|§3-8-5c. Contribution Limitations

(a)(1) A person, political party, or political action committee may not, in an election cycle:(A) Contribute more than $2,800, directly or indirectly, to a candidates committee for a candidate seeking nomination, including by making contributions to the candidates committee; or(B) Contribute more than $2,800, directly or indirectly, to a candidates committee for a candidate seeking election, including by making contributions to the candidates committee: Provided, That a candidate may receive contributions for the general election prior to nomination, however, such funds may not be expended until after the date of the nomination is declared.(2) The contribution limits of this section apply only to elections to be held after the effective date of this section and do not apply to candidate committees that were created for elections held prior to the effective date of this section.(b) A person may not, directly or indirectly, make contributions to a state party executive committee, or any subsidiary, branch, or local unit thereof, or a caucus campaign committee which, in the aggregate, exceed $10,000 in any calendar year: Provided, That a person may not earmark or otherwise designate any portion of a contribution made pursuant to this subsection to be used to support or oppose the election of a particular candidate: Provided, however, That any such designation or earmark that accompanies a contribution made pursuant to this subsection may not be binding on the entity that receives the contribution.(c) A person may not, directly or indirectly, make contributions to a political action committee, related to a particular election, which, in the aggregate, exceed $5,000.
WV Code § 3-8-5d (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 8. Regulation and Control of Elections|§3-8-5d. Offenses and Penalties

(a) Any person who makes or receives a contribution of currency of the United States or currency of any foreign country of more than $50 in value is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be fined a sum equal to three times the amount of the contribution.(b) Notwithstanding any provision of section twenty-four, article nine of this chapter to the contrary, a criminal prosecution or civil action for a violation of this article may be commenced within five years after the violation occurred.(c) No person required to report under this article shall be found in violation of this article if any person, firm, association or committee making a contribution has provided false information to such person: Provided, That any person, firm, association or committee who provides false information to a person required to report under this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, subject to the penalties provided in section twenty-three, article nine of this chapter.
WV Code § 3-8-5e (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 8. Regulation and Control of Elections|§3-8-5e. Pre-Candidacy Financing and Expenditures

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, it is lawful for a person, otherwise qualified to be a candidate for any public office or position to be determined by public election, to receive contributions or make expenditures, or both personally or by another individual acting as a treasurer, to determine the advisability of becoming such a candidate or preparing to be such a candidate: Provided, That an individual may file his or her pre-candidacy papers, and may receive contributions and make expenditures related thereto, beginning on the day after the general election is held for the term of office immediately preceding the term of office for which the person may become a candidate, if such term of office is four years or less: Provided, however, That such pre-candidacy papers may be filed, such contributions may be received, and such expenditures may be made only during the four years immediately preceding the term of office for which such person may be a candidate, if such term of office is more than four years: Provided further, That no person is disqualified from receiving contributions or making expenditures as permitted under the provisions of this section solely because such person then holds a public office or position.(b) Any person undertaking to determine the advisability of becoming or preparing to be a candidate, who desires to receive contributions before filing a certificate of candidacy, shall designate himself or another individual to act as a treasurer and shall file a designation of treasurer in the manner provided in 3-8-4 of this code before receiving any contributions permitted by this section. Any expenditures made before the filing of a designation of treasurer shall be reported in accordance with the provisions of 3-8-5 of this code regardless of the source of funds used for such expenditures.(c) A person who receives a contribution who is acting for and by himself or herself or as treasurer or agent for another pursuant to the provisions of this section shall keep detailed accounts of every sum of money or other thing of value received by him or her, and of all expenditures and disbursements made, and liabilities incurred, in the same manner as such accounts are required by 3-8-5 of this code. (d) Regardless of whether such person becomes a candidate as originally intended, becomes a candidate for some office other than the office or position originally intended, or does not become a candidate, all limits on campaign contributions and campaign expenditures applicable to the candidacy of or advocacy of the candidacy of such person for the office he or she actually seeks shall be applicable to and inclusive of the receipts had and expenditures made during such pre-candidacy period as well as after the person becomes a candidate.