News

Tyler Consolidated High School presented with the prestigious Jennings Randolph Award for civic engagement
09/23/2025
The Jennings Randolph Award is earned when a West Virginia high school has a student-led voter education campaign and voter registration drive to register at least 85% of their eligible students to vote....read more

Paul Wissmach Glass Company of Paden City is the newest member of the WV Centurion Chamber of Commerce
09/23/2025
From 1910 until 1987, the company remained under the stewardship of the Wissmach family. After founder Paul Wissmach, the business was passed to his nephew Alfred Vollmar....read more

WV Secretary of State Kris Warner appointed National Co-Chair of NASS Elections Committee
09/22/2025
Secretary Warner and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs were appointed to Co-Chair the Elections Committee by NASS President and Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson....read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner to address economic development leaders at WVEDC Annual Fall Conference in Bridgeport on Wednesday, September 24
09/22/2025
More than 143,000 businesses, partnerships, and nonprofits are registered to do business in WV....read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner to Commemorate Constitution Day and 250 Years of American Freedom
09/16/2025
“The United States Constitution created our governmental structure as a constitutional republic,...read more

West Virginia to Celebrate National Voter Registration Day on September 16
09/09/2025
“Voting is the cornerstone of our constitutional republic,”...read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner announces mobile office hours in four counties for the month of September
09/09/2025
September is National Voter Registration Month. WVSOS Field Representatives are prepared to talk with citizens about voter registration for eligible West Virginia residents as well as how current registered voters can keep their voter registration updated...read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 1,270 New WV Business Registrations for August of 2025
09/08/2025
Of the 1,270 new businesses registered in August, 179 qualified for one of the programs offered by the WV Secretary of State's Office....read more

West Virginia ahead of the game on election security initiatives expressed by the White House
09/03/2025
Earlier this year, the President issued an Executive Order announcing policy initiatives focused, in part, on ensuring clean voter rolls and paper ballots that are verified by voters prior to casting....read more

WV Secretary of State Kris Warner Joins Election Protection Podcast to Discuss Poll Workers, 2026 Election, and White House Meeting
09/02/2025
From his recent White House meeting on election integrity to the essential role of poll workers, Warner shared his perspective on keeping West Virginia’s elections safe, secure, and fair....read more

J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works CEO Nancy Bruns joins Secretary Warner for “Just Three Questions!” to discuss agriculture opportunities in West Virginia
08/27/2025
J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works is a seventh-generation salt-making family in the Kanawha Valley. In 2013, Bruns and her brother, Lewis Payne, revived the salt industry in the region and restored a 200-year-old family tradition....read more

Op-Ed: Your Voice. Your Vote. September is National Voter Registration Month
08/26/2025
Consider this: local elections often hinge on just a handful of votes. School board decisions, city council policies, and county budgets are shaped by those who show up. ...read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner completes 55-county tour to meet and talk with county clerks and their staff
08/19/2025
"I promised the county clerks that I would bring my office to them," said Secretary Warner. "I want all 55 county clerks to know that we recognize them as their county's chief elections officer....read more

WV Hospital Association CEO Jim Kaufman joins Secretary Warner for “Just Three Questions!” to discuss Building a Stronger Healthcare Workforce
08/15/2025
Hospitals have invested more than four billion dollars over the past ten years to build new facilities, renovate centers, and open rural health clinics....read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner assists new WVU President Michael Benson to become a registered voter in WV
08/15/2025
Each year, the WV Secretary of State's Office hosts a booth at the State Fair. Members of the WVSOS staff manage the booth and offer information to fairgoers about the services the office provides to entrepreneurs, business owners, notaries, and voters....read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 1,229 New WV Business Registrations for July of 2025
08/13/2025
Of the 1,229 new businesses registered in July, 178 qualified for one of the programs offered by the WV Secretary of State's Office....read more

Service Wire President and CEO Louis Weisberg joins Secretary Warner for “Just Three Questions!” to discuss the company's longevity and commitment to the Mountain State
08/08/2025
Service Wire has manufacturing and distribution centers in Houston, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona. The corporate headquarters remain in West Virginia....read more

OpEd: Celebrating Those Who Help Keep Our Elections Safe, Secure, and Fair on National Poll Worker Recruitment Day
08/04/2025
Poll workers are the everyday heroes who keep our democracy running. They’re the first face voters see when they walk into a polling place....read more

Mike Graney joins Secretary Warner for “Just Three Questions!” to discuss diversifying our state's economy
07/30/2025
The WV Economic Development Office works to attract new businesses to the state. During the interview, Secretary Warner asked Graney, ...read more

Kris Warner Reports on Successes and Accomplishments of First Six Months as WV's Secretary of State
07/28/2025
Since January, the WV Secretary of State’s Office has been working hard to register new voters, revolutionize the business registration process with award-winning technology, and prepare for the 2026 election cycle....read more

WVSOS Business Division Director Sarah Carey joins Secretary Kris Warner for "Just Three Questions!" to discuss resources for entrepreneurs
07/25/2025
This year’s conference was held at Shepherd University. It was an opportunity to educate attendees about the role the Secretary of State’s Office plays in business registration....read more

President and CEO of Mon Health System David Goldberg joins Secretary Kris Warner for "Just Three Questions!" to discuss how hospitals are economic drivers fueling our state's economy
07/18/2025
Vandalia Health was created in 2022 and is comprised of 17 hospitals across West Virginia...read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 1,181 New WV Business Registrations for June of 2025
07/14/2025
Of the 1,181 new businesses registered in June, 164 qualified for one of the programs offered by the WV Secretary of State's Office....read more

WV Wesleyan College President Dr. James Moore joins Secretary Kris Warner for "Just Three Questions!" to discuss jobs skills needed for today's workforce
07/11/2025
"It's those types of skills that help graduates thrive in the workforce and can lead to entrepreneurial...read more

National foundation recognizes West Virginia for “Leading the Way on Election Integrity"
07/09/2025
One of the FGA’s public policy initiatives is election integrity and the measures being taken by state lawmakers to ensure that elections are safe and secure....read more

Secretary of State Warner offers advice to WV business owners that missed Annual Report deadline
07/02/2025
Secretary Warner reports that about 50,000 of those businesses missed the June 30 deadline, which is consistent with past years’ data....read more

"Just Three Questions!" BridgeValley Community and Technical College President Dr. Casey Sacks and Secretary of State Kris Warner discuss preparing students for the workforce
06/27/2025
BridgeValley is a two-year college that focuses on student success and workforce development....read more

Warner Invites the Public to Help Solve the Mystery Behind "What's in the Barrels" on the WV State Seal
06/26/2025
The West Virginia State Seal—designed by the French-born artist Joseph Diss Debar and adopted by the West Virginia legislature in 1863...read more

WV Secretary of State’s Virtual Assistant Earns International Recognition
06/25/2025
SOLO, an acronym for "Single Online Location," is an AI-powered chatbot designed by the WV Secretary of State's office to provide round-the-clock access...read more

DEADLINE APPROACHING! Secretary Warner releases a video message reminder to West Virginia business owners to file their Annual Report
06/23/2025
Warner noted that more than 155,000 registered businesses are required by state law to file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State's Office. As part of that filing, businesses must update ...read more

University of Charleston President Dr. Marty Roth joins WV Secretary of State Kris Warner on “Just Three Questions!” to discuss ways businesses can scale up and grow
06/13/2025
Dr. Roth welcomed Secretary Warner to the DIH to discuss the gap it is helping fill for the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the resources...read more

WV Secretary of State Kris Warner issues statement on the tragic death of businessman and former Delegate Doug Skaff
06/11/2025
"Doug Skaff was first and foremost my friend. He was a respected businessman, a serious lawmaker,...read more

77 Municipal Elections scheduled to take place next Tuesday, June 10th; Early Voting ends this Saturday
06/06/2025
Warner emphasized that the visits are educational in nature to assist the clerks or recorders in charge of the elections, as well as the poll workers at each location....read more

WV SBDC State Director Will Miller joins WV Secretary of State Kris Warner on “Just Three Questions!” to discuss the importance of business coaching
06/06/2025
Miller said, “Our main service is our coaching service. That’s the one-on-one mentorship with the coaches. But we also have trainings...read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 1,214 New WV Business Registrations for May of 2025
06/05/2025
Wetzel County led the state in the percentage of new business growth with a total of...read more

WVSU President Ericke S. Cage joins WV Secretary of State Kris Warner for “Just Three Questions!” to discuss bolstering the agriculture industry in West Virginia
05/29/2025
Cage said, "I believe adamantly that agriculture is the future of West Virginia. We know that food insecurity is not just a state issue...read more

WV State Seal to be featured in the #SealReveal Campaign hosted by the National Association of Secretaries of State
05/28/2025
Starting June 2nd, WV Secretary of State Kris Warner is joining his state counterparts nationwide to participate in the #SealReveal campaign, an initiative of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) taking place throughout the month of Ju...read more

Benedum Foundation's Bill Woodrum discusses entrepreneurship with WV Secretary of State Kris Warner on video interview series called “Just Three Questions!”
05/23/2025
Secretary Warner asked Bill Woodrum to explain “how the Benedum Foundation helps economic development, specifically in West Virginia.”...read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 1,352 New WV Business Registrations for April of 2025
05/16/2025
Statewide, West Virginia registered 13,835 new businesses in the previous 12-month period, from May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025....read more

"Just Three Questions!" with Delegate David Green discussing flood recovery efforts with Secretary of State Kris Warner
05/16/2025
Delegate Green said, "There's not a business, there's not a person in McDowell County that hasn't been affected by this flood....read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner gives keynote address for FOP at National Police Week ceremony in Parkersburg
05/14/2025
The Distinguished Citizen of the Year was given to the men and women of St. Joseph's Ambulance Service....read more

Wayne County voter sentenced for double voting in a West Virginia election
05/13/2025
Richard Allen Chapman of Huntington was charged with illegal voting for casting two ballots in the 2020 General Election...read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner notifies the public of 104 municipal elections scheduled for this year
05/13/2025
Secretary Warner said that registering to vote or updating your current voter registration is simple and easy to do online at GoVoteWV.com....read more

Kris Warner says that Joe Manchin is just "dead wrong" in criticism of WV legislators over prohibiting Ranked Choice Voting
05/12/2025
Ranked choice voting is a controversial system in which voters rank multiple candidates for the same position in order of preference, rather than picking a single candidate for each race....read more

WVU economic innovation leader Dr. Liz Vitullo discusses importance of funding opportunities for entrepreneurs on “Just Three Questions!” with Secretary of State Kris Warner
05/09/2025
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ELECTION INTEGRITY: Secretary of State Kris Warner says 2025 legislative session focused on election security and transparency
05/08/2025
Secretary Warner said that the 60-day session was very productive in securing the state's elections. ...read more

"Just Three Questions!" Tech Entrepreneur and Marshall President Brad Smith is first guest on Secretary Warner’s new video series highlighting resources for West Virginia entrepreneurs
05/05/2025
"This series of interviews is an opportunity to highlight entrepreneurs and support for small business development throughout West Virginia," said WV Secretary of State Kris Warner. ...read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner applauds Legislature as West Virginia's "Photo ID to Vote" legislation becomes law
05/01/2025
“Requiring photo ID to vote strengthens election integrity and protects against fraud,” said Secretary Warner, who serves as West Virginia’s chief election official....read more

Warner announces three-count felony indictment for fraud against a Jefferson County woman attempting to open a bank account
04/29/2025
Secretary Warner said that quick action by the bank and the immediate attention by his Business and Investigations Divisions led to a quick indictment by the Jefferson County grand jury. Warner thanked WVSOS Business Division Director Sarah Carey and WVSO...read more

Op-Ed: Entrepreneurs and small business owners are the lifeblood of local communities
04/23/2025
I am honored to attend the Conference this year as a panelist for a discussion titled, "State of the State: Entrepreneurship in West Virginia". As the state's chief business registration official, my office works hard to make it easy to start a new busine...read more

WV Voter Hall of Fame welcomes 164 new members who have voted in every election for the last 50 years
04/22/2025
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Grafton High School's student-led voter registration drive registers 160 seniors to vote; One of the state's largest registration efforts for 2024-25 school year
04/17/2025
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Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 1,440 New WV Business Registrations for March of 2025
04/16/2025
Doddridge County led the state in new business growth for the month...read more

Warner applauds legislature for passing election integrity legislation including voter photo ID and prohibiting non-citizens from voting in municipal elections
04/16/2025
Warner stated that the bill requiring photo ID to vote (HB 3016) appeared to be the most popular initiative among legislators, with an overwhelming majority voting in favor of passage....read more

Spring Valley High School earns prestigious Jennings Randolph Award for student-led civic engagement
04/10/2025
On Wednesday morning, a student assembly was held at the school to present the Award and congratulate the students on their achievement....read more

Warner recognizes two Grafton High School students as 'Honorary Secretaries of State' for their effort to register classmates to vote
04/08/2025
Michael Niggemyer and Violet Rubenstein—both members of the 2025 graduating class at GHS—were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Two Cabell County candidates indicted for election fraud
04/07/2025
According to the combined five-count indictment handed down by the Cabell County grand jury, King and Maynard are accused of knowingly submitting false information on their Certificates of Announcement when declaring their candidacy....read more

Warner expresses frustration over Morrisey's veto of election transparency regulation
04/03/2025
On April 1st, Governor Patrick Morrisey, my colleague on the Board of Public Works, vetoed a rules-bundle bill containing dozens of agencies’ rules that have been published for public review and comment for at least 8 months....read more

WV Secretary of State Kris Warner highlights the importance of prevention and recovery services in a video interview on Lauren’s Wish
04/02/2025
Lauren’s Wish is located at Hazel's House of Hope in Morgantown. Peer recovery staff provide a safe environment where individuals can stay while awaiting treatment placement....read more

WV State Senate and Secretary of State Kris Warner recognized the Benedum Foundation on its 80th anniversary
04/01/2025
The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation was started in 1944 by Bridgeport, WV natives Michael and Sarah Benedum....read more

Op-Ed: Non-citizens should be clearly prohibited from voting in federal, state, and local elections
04/01/2025
West Virginia’s Constitution provides that the citizens of the state are entitled to vote in elections held within the counties in which they reside....read more

Warner recognizes two Sherman High School students as 'Honorary Secretaries of State' for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/31/2025
Maycey Davis and Jillian Toney—both members of the 2025 graduating class at SHS—were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

WV Secretary of State Kris Warner Applauds Trump Executive Order Provisions Reinforcing State Election Integrity and Preventing Non-Citizens from Voting
03/28/2025
WV Secretary of State Kris Warner expressed optimism in the Executive Order, praising the administration’s focus on issues important to protecting states' rights....read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 1,221 New WV Business Registrations for February of 2025
03/25/2025
Pleasants County led the state in new business growth for the month...read more

Warner recognizes Spring Valley High School students as 'Honorary Secretaries of State' for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/24/2025
Macy Smith and Alexander Ringkamp, both members of the 2025 graduating class at SVHS, were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Warner recognizes two Ripley High School students as 'Honorary Secretaries of State' for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/24/2025
Gracie Thomas and Rylee Harbour—both members of the 2025 graduating class at RHS—were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Warner recognizes Beth Haven Christian School students as 'Honorary Secretaries of State' for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/21/2025
Joshua Goble and Heidi Densford—both members of the 2025 graduating class at BHCS—were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Warner recognizes two Victory Baptist Academy students as 'Honorary Secretaries of State' for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/21/2025
Brady Vandall and Raegan Wood – both members of the 2025 graduating class at VBA – were recommended by their school administrator to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner applauds West Virginia Legislature for passing prohibition on Ranked Choice Voting
03/20/2025
anked choice voting is a process that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, rather than picking a single candidate for each race....read more

State Fair of WV receives the prestigious “Centurion Chamber of Commerce” designation from WV Secretary of State
03/20/2025
Earlier this week, the WV Legislature recognized the Fair’s current president, staff, and board of directors to congratulate them on their ongoing efforts of showcasing West Virginia agriculture and celebrating state art, cooking, and entertainment....read more

Warner recognizes two New Life Christian Academy students as 'Honorary Secretaries of State' for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/20/2025
Sophia DiNonno and Christina Marsh – both members of the 2025 graduating class at NLCA – were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Warner recognizes two James Monroe High School students for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/19/2025
Thomas Sibold and Hannah Jewell – both members of the 2025 graduating class at JMHS – were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Warner recognizes two Meadow Bridge High School students as 'Honorary Secretaries of State' for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/18/2025
Kierston Rozell and Emily Carothers – both members of the 2025 graduating class at MBHS – were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Warner recognizes two Woodrow Wilson High School students for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/17/2025
Thomas Spencer and Ram Asaithambi – both members of the 2025 graduating class at WWHS – were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Warner recognizes two Van Junior-Senior High School students for their effort to register classmates to vote
03/13/2025
Kaleigh Workman and Maggie Price – both members of the 2025 graduating class at VJSHS – were recommended by their principal to represent their school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote....read more

Warner recognizes Sissonville High School student for his effort to register classmates to vote
03/13/2025
Christian Baldwin – a member of the 2025 graduating class at SHS – was recommended by his principal to represent their school as an Honorary Secretary of State for his effort to register members of the SHS senior class to vote....read more

ON THIS DATE: West Virginia narrowly ratified the 19th Amendment by a 15-14 vote and captivated the nation
03/10/2025
The vote by the West Virginia legislature was significant. After nearly a year of states across the country ratifying the Congress’ proposed Amendment, 22 states had ratified it by December of 1919....read more

Federal Overreach with Corporate Transparency Act is Suspended Immediately
03/07/2025
The U.S. Department of Treasury announced that the CTA will not enforce any penalties or fines associated with the beneficial ownership information reporting rule under the existing regulatory deadlines....read more

Calvary Baptist Academy presented with Jennings Randolph Award for student-led voter registration
02/27/2025
The Jennings Randolph Award honors the late U.S. Senator Jennings Randolph who represented West Virginia in the United States Congress for more than 50 years....read more

WVSOS Anniversary Open House Celebrates National Entrepreneurship Week in West Virginia
02/20/2025
The WV One Stop Business Center was opened in 2018 by the WV Secretary of State's Office with the support of the West Virginia Legislature....read more

WVSOS Kris Warner joins 19 state colleagues asking President Trump to repeal the Biden-era "Big Brother Overreach" on business
02/20/2025
According to Warner, it is estimated that there are more than 31 million businesses of all sizes in the United States, with over 153,000 registered to operate in West Virginia alone. Many of those are subject to the CTA....read more

WV One Stop Business Center to Celebrate National Entrepreneurship Week with an Open House
02/18/2025
The open house will commemorate the eighth year since the WV One Stop Business Center opened as the first four-agency, single-location, business center in the nation....read more

Op-Ed: Building a Stronger Future for West Virginia Entrepreneurs
02/12/2025
Entrepreneurship is the backbone of West Virginia’s economy, fueling innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of our communities. ...read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 1,301 New WV Business Registrations for January of 2025
02/11/2025
Clay County led the state in new business growth for the month...read more

Secretary Warner announces the 2025 Legislative Initiatives for the WV Secretary of State's Office
02/07/2025
While meeting with members of the West Virginia Press Association (WVPA) at their annual "Legislative Look-Ahead Conference" held in Charleston, Secretary of State Kris Warner announced the 2025 legislative initiatives for the Secretary of State's Office ...read more

More than 13,500 New Businesses Started in 2024
01/27/2025
Annual Report from the Secretary of State Showcases Strength of West Virginia Economy Anchored by Small Business Entrepreneurs and Real Estate...read more

Two Meadow Bridge High School seniors named "Honorary Secretary of State" for their effort in the school's student-led voter registration effort
01/24/2025
Two seniors from Meadow Bridge High School were given special recognition on Thursday by WV Secretary of State Kris Warner and Fayette County Clerk Michelle Holly....read more

Secretary of State Kris Warner Reports 843 New WV Business Registrations for December of 2024
01/15/2025
Monroe County led the state in new business growth for the month...read more