Federal Judge Orders West Virginia Clerk to Accept Online Voter Registrations

October 25, 2016 1:45 pm

Media Contact
125 Broad Street
18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
United States

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A federal court has ordered a West Virginia county clerk to accept and process online voter registrations. The ruling stems from an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit filed last week.

State law provides for online voter registration, and all other West Virginia counties accepted it save for Cabell County, where County Clerk Karen Cole refused. In a ruling from the bench today, Judge Robert Chambers ordered Cole to immediately begin processing online voter registrations.

Joseph Cohen, executive director of the ACLU of West Virginia, had this reaction:

“While it is unfortunate it took legal action to get the clerk to do her job, we are pleased that Cabell County residents will now have the same voter registration options as all other West Virginians. This is a victory for voters.”

The case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia/Huntington Division. The cooperating attorney is Anthony Majestro of Powell & Majestro P.L.L.C.

Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.

Learn More About the Issues in This Press Release