reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WV Code § 3-1-51 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1. General Provisions and Definitions|§3-1-51. Identity Verification of Voters Executing Voter Identity Affidavit

(a) The clerk of the county commission shall cause a letter to be mailed by first class mail to each voter who executed a voter identity affidavit pursuant to section thirty-four of this article. The letter shall be mailed within sixty days after the election. The clerk shall mark the envelope with instructions to the United States Post Office not to forward the letter and to provide address correction information. The letter shall notify the addressee that a person who did not present a valid identifying document voted using his or her name and address and instruct the addressee to contact the clerk immediately if he or she did not vote. The letter shall also inform the addressee of the procedure for obtaining an identification card from the Division of Motor Vehicles for voting purposes.(b) The clerk of the county commission shall cause letters mailed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that are returned as undeliverable by the United States Post Office to be referred to the Secretary of State. The clerk shall also prepare and forward to the Secretary of State a list of all persons who were mailed letters under subsection (a) of this section and who notified the clerk that they did not vote. Upon receipt of notice from a person who receives a letter mailed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that the person did not vote, or upon receipt of a referral from the clerk, the Secretary of State shall cause an investigation to be made to determine whether fraudulent voting occurred. Beginning July 1, 2019 and each year thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance detailing the results of all investigations of voter identity affidavits, including, but not limited to, the number of investigations, the number of ballots cast, and the number and results of any determinations made regarding fraudulent voting.
WV Code § 3-1A-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1A. State Election Commission and Secretary of State|§3-1A-1. Election Commission Continued; Composition; Chairperson; per Diem; Traveling Expense

The "State Election Commission," heretofore created, is continued and is composed of the Secretary of State, and four persons appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The commission shall from this membership elect a chairman for a term of two years. Each member of the commission shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses actually paid the per diem and expense reimbursement established for the Legislature in section seven, article two-a, chapter four of this code in the performance of his or her duties as a member of the commission.
WV Code § 3-1A-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1A. State Election Commission and Secretary of State|§3-1A-2. Qualifications of Members of Commission

No member of the commission appointed by the Governor shall be a candidate for or hold any public office other than that of membership on the commission; nor shall such appointed member be a member of any committee of a political party. Any person who, directly or indirectly, (1) designs, owns, manufactures, distributes or sells any voting machine, or (2) owns any patent rights or contract rights thereto, or (3) has any interest in any joint venture, partnership, firm, corporation or association designing, owning, manufacturing, distributing or selling any voting machine, or owning any patent rights or contract rights thereto, shall be disqualified from serving as a member of the commission. At least one member appointed by the Governor shall be selected with special reference to his expert knowledge as a student of the problems of public elections. Not more than two members appointed by the Governor shall be members of the same political party. In case a member appointed by the Governor becomes a candidate for or is appointed to any other public office or political committee, his office as member of the commission shall be deemed immediately vacated.
WV Code § 3-1A-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1A. State Election Commission and Secretary of State|§3-1A-3. Terms of Office of Commission Members; Filling Vacancies

The terms of office of the members of the commission shall be six years. Members in office shall continue as members until their respective terms expire on June 4, 1969 and 1972. On the expiration of these terms and every three years thereafter appointments shall be made for six-year terms. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term.
WV Code § 3-1A-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1A. State Election Commission and Secretary of State|§3-1A-4. Office and Meetings of Commission

(a) The office and place of meeting of the commission is the office of the Secretary of State in the State Capitol. The commission may also conduct meetings via video, telephone or Internet conferencing.(b) The commission shall hold such meetings as may be called by the chairman, the Governor or the Secretary of State.
WV Code § 3-1A-7 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1A. State Election Commission and Secretary of State|§3-1A-7. Candidate's Financial Disclosure Statement

Candidates for election to any state, county or municipal office, county school board, district school board, or to the position of county or district school board superintendent, shall file a financial disclosure statement with the Ethics Commission as may be required under subsection (a), section six, article two, chapter six-b of this code.
WV Code § 3-1A-8 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1A. State Election Commission and Secretary of State|§3-1A-8. Investigators for the Secretary of State

(a) An employee of the Secretary of State, who has attended a course of instruction at the State Police Academy or its equivalent, has all the lawful powers delegated to members of the state police to enforce the provisions of this chapter and the criminal laws of the state in any county or municipality of this state. The Secretary of State may allow an investigator who has met the standards set forth in section four, article seven, chapter sixty-one of this code to carry a firearm and concealed weapon while performing their official duties: Provided, That as a precondition of being authorized to carry a firearm or concealed weapon in the course of their official duties, any such designated personnel must obtain and maintain firearms training and certification which is equivalent to that which is required of members of the state police. The designated persons must also possess a license to carry a concealed deadly weapon in the manner prescribed in article seven, chapter sixty-one of this code, or otherwise be exempted from the code's provisions.(b) Before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, an employee shall execute a bond with security in the sum of $3,500, payable to the State of West Virginia, conditioned for the faithful performance of his or her duties. The bond shall be approved as to form by the Attorney General and filed with the Secretary of State and preserved in his or her office. The State Police and a county sheriff or deputy sheriff or a municipal police officer, upon request by the Secretary of State or his or her appointee, is authorized to assist the Secretary of State or his or her appointee in enforcing the provisions of this chapter and the criminal laws of the state.
WV Code § 3-1B-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1B. Fair Campaign Practices|§3-1B-1. Legislative Findings, Purpose, Declaration and Intent

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that every candidate for public office in this state should follow the basic principles of decency, honesty and fairness in the course of their campaign practices.The Legislature hereby further declares that the code of fair campaign practices, as contained in this article, is a standard to which all candidates for public office should aspire and is a guideline for voters to determine fair play in the conduct of campaigns for public office.It is the further goal of the Legislature that every candidate for public office in this state will voluntarily subscribe and adhere to the code of campaign practices.
WV Code § 3-1B-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1B. Fair Campaign Practices|§3-1B-2. Definitions

For purposes of this article:(a) "Campaign advertising or communication" means a communication authorized by a candidate or a candidate's committee for the purpose of advocating the nomination, election or defeat of a candidate;(b) "Candidate for public office" means an individual who has filed a precandidacy statement pursuant to the provisions of section five-e, article eight of this chapter, has qualified to have his or her name listed on the ballot of any election, or who has declared his or her intention to seek nomination or election through a petition or write-in procedure for any state, regional, county, municipal or district office which is to be filled at an election;(c) "Code" means the code of fair campaign practices as set forth in this article;(d) "Commission" means the state election commission created pursuant to the provisions of article one-a of this chapter; and(e) "Political committee" means all of those persons and entities required to keep accounts and file financial statements pursuant to the provisions of section five, article eight of this chapter.
WV Code § 3-1B-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1B. Fair Campaign Practices|§3-1B-3. Powers and Duties of the Commission

In addition to the powers and duties of the commission as prescribed in section five, article one-a of this chapter, the commission has:(a) The power to issue advisory opinions on whether an action or proposed action of a subscribing candidate violates the code of fair campaign practices;(b) The duty to prepare and distribute copies of the code of fair campaign practices to voters, circuit clerks, county clerks and other election officials;(c) The duty to receive, investigate and act on complaints or other information concerning noncompliance with the code by candidates for public office who subscribe to the code; and(d) The duty to make public the name and identity of candidates subscribing to the code and the findings of compliance or noncompliance with the code upon the conclusion of a hearing conducted pursuant to section four of this article.
WV Code § 3-1B-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1B. Fair Campaign Practices|§3-1B-4. Hearing; Disposition; Sanctions

If a majority of the commission determines that there is a reasonable likelihood that a candidate for public office who subscribes to the code of fair campaign practices has violated a provision of the code, then the commission shall inform the candidate in writing and notify the candidate in writing that the candidate has ten days from receipt of the notice to request a hearing. If the candidate requests a hearing, then one shall be scheduled within ten days after such request. Said hearing may be continued only for good cause shown. If a majority of the commission determines, based upon clear and convincing evidence, after a hearing or after a candidate has declined to request a hearing, that such candidate has violated a provision of the code, the commission may issue a public opinion stating the candidate has committed a violation of the code. If the commission does not find by clear and convincing evidence that a subscribing candidate has violated a provision of the code, then the commission shall issue a public statement that the candidate has not violated the code. Said statement shall be issued on the same day of the hearing.
WV Code § 3-1B-6 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1B. Fair Campaign Practices|§3-1B-6. Forms

The Secretary of State in consultation with the election commission, shall prescribe the forms containing the text of the code and shall furnish the forms to the circuit clerks, county clerks and municipal clerks or recorders in quantities and at times requested by the clerks.
WV Code § 3-1B-7 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1B. Fair Campaign Practices|§3-1B-7. Retention of Forms; Public Inspection

The officer receiving the filing shall accept, at all times prior to the election, all completed forms evidencing subscription to the code.Forms filed with the circuit clerk shall be immediately forwarded to the county clerk. The county clerk, Secretary of State, and municipal recorder or clerk shall retain such forms filed with them for public inspection until one hundred eighty days after the general election.
WV Code § 3-1B-8 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1B. Fair Campaign Practices|§3-1B-8. Voluntary Subscription to the Code

Subscription to and adherence to the provisions of the code set forth in this article is voluntary and in no event may any person be required to subscribe to, adhere to or endorse the code.
WV Code § 3-1B-9 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1B. Fair Campaign Practices|§3-1B-9. Release From Subscription to the Code

In the event that an opponent to a subscribing candidate exceeds the voluntary campaign spending limitations set forth in section five of this article, the subscribing candidate who has not exceeded the spending limitations shall be automatically released from that portion of the code establishing the campaign spending limitations, and the commission shall make public the fact of such release.
WV Code § 3-1B-10 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1B. Fair Campaign Practices|§3-1B-10. Adjustment of Spending Limitations

The commission may from time to time increase the voluntary campaign spending limitations established in this article pursuant to legislative rule promulgated pursuant to the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.
WV Code § 3-1C-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1C. Accessible Voting Technology Act|§3-1C-1. Short Title

This article may be cited as "The Accessible Voting Technology Act".
WV Code § 3-1C-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1C. Accessible Voting Technology Act|§3-1C-2. Findings

The Legislature makes the following findings:(1) Microchip and digital technologies are increasingly changing the way Americans vote;(2) State and political subdivisions are replacing antiquated voting methods and machines with computer- and electronic-based voting systems, but nonvisual access, whether by speech, Braille or other appropriate means is often overlooked in certifying and purchasing the latest voting technology;(3) Voting technology and systems which allow the voter to access and select information solely through visual means are a barrier to access by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, thereby discouraging them from exercising the right to vote, the most fundamental right of citizenship in a free and democratic society;(4) Software and hardware adaptations have been created so that voters can interact with voting technology and systems through both visual and nonvisual means allowing blind and visually impaired people to cast a secret ballot and independently verify their vote; and(5) In promoting full participation in the electoral process, the goals of the state and its political subdivisions must recognize the right of all citizens regardless of blindness or visual impairment to vote and to cast and verify their ballots independently.
WV Code § 3-1C-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1C. Accessible Voting Technology Act|§3-1C-3. Definitions

As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires a different meaning, the term:(1) "Access" means the ability to receive, use, select and manipulate data and operate controls included in voting technology and systems;(2) "Nonvisual" means synthesized speech, Braille and other output methods not requiring sight.
WV Code § 3-1C-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 1C. Accessible Voting Technology Act|§3-1C-4. Requirements for Accessible Voting Technology and Systems

(a) If any county upgrades or replaces existing voting equipment or an existing voting system and the upgraded or new equipment or system is certified by the Secretary of State to have the capability to provide or the capability to be upgraded to provide blind and visually impaired individuals with nonvisual access which is equivalent to that access provided to individuals who are not blind or visually impaired, then the county must purchase or lease at least one voting mechanism which provides such nonvisual access to be used during the period of voting regular absentee ballots in person. The voting mechanism must also be used in a precinct, as designated by the county commission, on election day.(b) The county commission of any county may place voting mechanisms that provide nonvisual access to blind or visually impaired persons in as many other precincts of the county as the county commission determines is feasible for use on election day, if the type of voting mechanism to be used has been certified by the Secretary of State.
WV Code § 3-2-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 2. Registration of Voters|§3-2-1. Permanent Voter Registration Law; Uniform System of Voter Registration

(a) This article, providing a permanent and uniform system for the registration of the voters of the State of West Virginia, may be cited as the "Permanent Voter Registration Law."(b) A permanent voter registration system is hereby established which shall be uniform in its requirements throughout the state and all of its subdivisions. No voter so registered shall be required to register again for any election while continuing to reside within the same county, unless the voter's registration is canceled as provided in this article.(c) A person who is not eligible or not duly registered to vote shall not be permitted to vote at any election in any subdivision of the state, except that such a voter may cast a "provisional" or "challenged" ballot as provided in this chapter if the voter's eligibility or registration is in question, and such "provisional" or "challenged" ballot may be counted only if a positive determination of the voter's eligibility and proper registration can be ascertained.
WV Code § 3-2-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 2. Registration of Voters|§3-2-2. Eligibility to Register to Vote

(a) Any person who possesses the constitutional qualifications for voting may register to vote. To be qualified, a person must be a citizen of the United States and a legal resident of West Virginia and of the county where he or she is applying to register, shall be at least eighteen years of age, except that a person who is at least seventeen years of age and who will be eighteen years of age by the time of the next ensuing general election may also be permitted to register, and shall not be otherwise legally disqualified: Provided, That a registered voter who has not reached eighteen years of age may vote both partisan and nonpartisan ballots in a federal, state, county, municipal or special primary election if he or she will be eighteen years of age by the time of the corresponding general election.(b) Any person who has been convicted of a felony, treason or bribery in an election, under either state or federal law, is disqualified and is not eligible to register or to continue to be registered to vote while serving his or her sentence, including any period of incarceration, probation or parole related thereto. Any person who has been declared mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction is disqualified and shall not be eligible to register or to continue to be registered to vote for as long as that disability continues.
WV Code § 3-2-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 3. Elections|Article 2. Registration of Voters|§3-2-3. State Authority Relating to Voter Registration; Chief Election Official

(a) The Secretary of State, as chief election official of the state as provided in section six, article one-a of this chapter, shall have general supervision of the voter registration procedures and practices and the maintenance of voter registration records in the state and shall have authority to require reports and investigate violations to ensure the proper conduct of voter registration throughout the state and all of its subdivisions. Upon written notice to the clerk of the county commission of a county of the need for voter registration record maintenance and the failure of that clerk to complete such maintenance within ninety days of the notice, the Secretary of State may make changes in the voter registration data necessary to comply with list maintenance requirements of sections four-a, twenty-three, twenty-five, twenty-six and twenty-seven of this article: Provided, That the secretary shall send the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested.(b) The Secretary of State, as chief election official of the state, is responsible for implementing, in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner, a single, uniform, official, centralized, interactive computerized statewide voter registration list defined, maintained and administered at the state level that contains the name and registration information of every legally registered voter in the state and assigns a unique identifier to each legally registered voter in the state.(c) The Secretary of State is hereby designated as the chief election official responsible for the coordination of this state's responsibilities under 42 U.S.C. §1973gg, et seq., the “National Voter Registration Act of 1993”. The Secretary of State shall have general supervision of voter registration procedures and practices at agencies and locations providing services as required by the provisions of this article and shall have the authority to propose procedural, interpretive and legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code for application for registration, transmission of applications, reporting and maintenance of records required by the provisions of this article and for the development, implementation and application of other provisions of this article.