West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 146 - Election Commission
Here’s a refined and comprehensive overview of West Virginia Code of State Rules — Agency 146: Election Commission (Title 146):
🗳️ Agency 146 — Election Commission
Title 146 contains the Legislative Rules governing West Virginia elections, covering campaign finance, political activity, expenditures, public financing programs, appeals, and voting equipment fund expenditures.
📄 Active Rule Series in Title 146:
Series 146‑01 – Corporate & Membership Organization Political Activity (effective May 8, 2024)
Defines corporate and membership group political action committees (PACs)
Sets rules on formation, contributions, solicitations, and penalties
§146‑1‑5: PACs must notify election officers and solicit only from internal members; contribute only within aggregated limits (apps.sos.wv.gov, law.cornell.edu)
Series 146‑03 – Regulation of Campaign Finance (effective May 8, 2024)
Core campaign finance framework: definitions, contribution limits, expenditures, record‑keeping, civil penalties, disclaimers, joint fundraising, and coordination rules
Includes rules for primary/general elections, inaugural events, and federal committee coordination (law.cornell.edu)
Series 146‑04 – Election Expenditures (current through March 21, 2025)
Governs payment and reimbursement for pollworkers, campaign staff, party and PAC workers
Sets out forms, exceptions, definitions, and policies for lawful spending
Series 146‑05 – Campaign Finance During Electioneering Communication Periods
Historical; superseded by §146‑03 (apps.sos.wv.gov)
Series 146‑06 to 146‑?
Includes 146‑06 (not clearly listed) and 146‑07 (no info)
Active series: 146‑06? may cover minor regulations
Fully active: 146‑07—Rules of Procedure for Appeals from Denial of Certificate to Print Ballots (effective Jan 1, 2015) (apps.sos.wv.gov)
Series 146‑07? – Appeal Procedures for Ballot Printing Denials (2015)
Establishes formal appeal process for printing certificate denials
Series 146‑? – Campaign Financing Public Program (146‑05, 146‑57)
Administers public campaign financing pilot programs tied to WV Supreme Court orders (apps.sos.wv.gov)
Series 146‑075 – County Assistance Voting Equipment Fund Expenditures (effective May 8, 2024)
Regulates Secretary of State fund distribution/expenditures for county voting equipment (apps.sos.wv.gov)
🧭 Summary of Regulatory Scope:
| Area | Key Rules |
|---|---|
| Corporate/Membership PACs | Registration, internal solicitation, contribution limits (146-01) |
| Campaign Finance | Limits, reporting, disclaimers, civil penalties (146-03) |
| Election Expenditures | Pollworker/staff payments and reimbursement procedures (146-04) |
| Appeals | Ballot certification appeals (146-07) |
| Public Funding & Equipment | Public campaign financing pilots & voting equipment fund program (146-05/57, 146-075) |
✅ Next Steps
Would you like a deeper dive into any specific series? Options include:
Contribution limits & reporting (146‑03)
PAC formation & internal solicitation rules (146‑01)
Pollworker payment guidelines (146‑04)
Appeals for printing denial (146‑07)
Public campaign funding or voting equipment fund rules
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