C4WVEI was founded in late 2023 by concerned citizens from across the state who saw a critical need for stronger election integrity in West Virginia. Our goal is to ensure that every vote cast is legally valid, accurately counted, and transparently audited. By working with lawmakers and election officials, we aim to aim to improve public trust in the electoral process and make West Virginia a leader in election transparency.

We are advocating for several key reforms, including requiring government-issued photo IDs for voting, verifying citizenship for voter registration, allowing voters to audit their ballots anonymously, and hand-counting paper ballots in every precinct. We also propose eliminating electronic vote tabulation to prevent hacking and ensuring a verifiable chain of custody for ballots.

West Virginia currently ranks 31st (tied) in the nation for election integrity, according to the Heritage Foundation. This ranking highlights significant vulnerabilities in our election process. Without reforms, voter confidence erodes, and we risk undermining the democratic process. Our reforms are designed to make elections more secure, transparent, and trustworthy for all West Virginians.

While technology can improve many aspects of our lives, it also opens up vulnerabilities, especially when it comes to electronic vote tabulation. We believe that eliminating machines in favor of hand-counted paper ballots will eliminate the risk of hacking and ensure that election results are both transparent and accurate. Additionally, we propose allowing voters to anonymously verify their ballots online as a transparency measure.

We believe that securing elections and making sure that every vote cast is legal is essential to democracy. That said, we support policies that balance security with accessibility. Our proposals include measures to ensure all voters, including those with disabilities or limited access to IDs, can participate in the process. We are committed to maintaining voter access while also protecting against fraud.

While West Virginia has not experienced widespread voter fraud, reports from national surveys indicate that many voters are concerned about potential fraud. In a June 2024 survey, 66% of voters believed the 2024 Presidential Election could be influenced by cheating. Additionally, the Heritage Foundation ranks our election integrity 31st in the nation, underscoring the need for proactive measures to protect our election process.

We are already in discussions with members of the West Virginia Legislature and the Secretary of State’s office to draft and promote legislation that addresses election integrity. Our aim is to collaborate with all relevant parties, including county election officials, to ensure that these reforms are practical, enforceable, and ultimately improve voter confidence.

We believe that increasing transparency and trust in the election process will encourage more citizens to participate. When voters trust that their vote is being counted fairly and securely, they are more likely to engage in the democratic process. Our reforms are designed to enhance voter confidence, which will likely lead to higher turnout and more civic involvement.

Like many states, West Virginia has strengths and weaknesses in its election system. However, the state's ranking in election integrity shows that we have room for improvement. We want to make West Virginia a national leader in election transparency by implementing a "gold standard" for election integrity. This would not only benefit our state but serve as a model for others.

We welcome all West Virginians to join our efforts to ensure secure, transparent, and trustworthy elections. Citizens can visit our website, follow us on social media, or attend local meetings and events. We encourage everyone to participate in discussions and advocacy efforts to support the reforms needed to protect the integrity of our elections.

One of the main challenges is overcoming political resistance and misinformation. Election integrity can be a divisive issue, and we want to ensure that the conversation remains focused on improving the system for all West Virginians, regardless of political affiliation. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to implement practical, nonpartisan solutions that restore trust in the voting process.