WHEELING — In 2026, it may be an off-year election in the Mountain State, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t offices on the ballot across West Virginia and a need for qualified candidates for public service.

Election filing season in West Virginia begins Jan. 12, and continues through midnight on Jan. 31. Candidates wanting to run for office in 2026 must file a certificate of announcement during this period. Offices on the ballot locally include:

– U.S. Senate: An elected term to the U.S. Senate is for six years, and the salary is $174,000 annually. The filling fee to run is $1,740.

Candidates must be at least age 30, have resided in the United States for at least nine years, and be living in West Virginia when elected The term begins in January 2027, and one U.S. senator representing West Virginia is to be elected in 2026.

– U.S. House of Representatives: Those elected to the U.S. House serve for two years. The annual salary is $174,000, and the filing fee is $1,740.

Candidates must be at least age 25, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years and a West Virginia resident at the time of election. The term begins in January 2027, with one House member being elected to represent West Virginia’s 2nd House District, encompassing the state’s northern counties.

– West Virginia Senate: A term in the West Virginia Senate is for four years, and the yearly pay is $24,000. Those interested in running for the office must pay a $240 filing fee.

Prospective candidates must be at least age 25, a West Virginia citizen for at least five years, and a resident of the district in which they are seeking office for at least one year.

Locally, one senator will be elected in District 1 and another in District 2.

– House of Delegates: Those running for the West Virginia House of Delegates must be at least age 18 by the time of the general election in November. The annual salary is: $24,000, and the filing fee is $120. Candidates must have resided in their district or county for at least one year prior to election. All 100 seats in the House of Delegates will be on the ballot in 2026. Winning candidates serve two years.

– County Commission: A county commissioner’s term in West Virginia is for six years. Filing fee is based on 1% of the current annual salary for the job, and those interested in seeing the office should contact their respective county clerk for information. Candidates must be at least age 18.

Candidates on the ballot for the following offices will be elected during the May 12 primary election:

– Board of Education Those wanting to run for a seat on their local board of education should contact their county clerk for filing fee and magisterial district information.

A term on the board of education is four four years, and candidates must be age 18 or older. They also must have a high school diploma or GED.

Board members will be elected during the May 12 primary election, with terms beginning July 1.

– Conservation District Supervisor: Those elected will serve a four-year term, and there is no salary. Filing fee is $10.

– Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals – Division 1: Winner will fill an unexpired term for six years, and the salary is $149,600 annually. Filing fee is $1,496.

– Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals: One judge is to be elected to the three-member Intermediate Court of Appeals. The term is for 10 years.

The annual salary is $142,500, and the filing fee is $1,425. Candidates must be at least age 30, be in good standing with the West Virginia State Bar and admitted to practice law for at least 10 years prior to election.

Those wanting to file for federal office, statewide office, West Virginia Senate, the House of Delegates, judicial offices, and those running for an office spanning more than one county must file with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.

Candidates for an office which is entirely within one county file with the county clerk, except in Ohio County. In Ohio County, candidates file with the commission office.