This bill amends the West Virginia Code to prohibit voters who are not affiliated with a major political party from voting in the primary elections of those parties. Specifically, it clarifies that voters who are registered as "independent" or affiliated with a political party that is not recognized as a major party will not be entitled to vote on any party's primary election ballot. Instead, these voters will receive separate ballots for nonpartisan candidates and public questions, as outlined in the amended sections 3-1-35 and 3-2-31.

Additionally, the bill establishes that voters must designate their political affiliation with a major party on their registration application by the close of voter registration before the primary in order to vote in that party's primary election. The language also emphasizes that political parties will no longer have the discretion to allow unaffiliated or independent voters to participate in their primaries, reinforcing the exclusivity of primary voting to those registered with a major political party.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-1-35, 3-2-31