West Virginia Resource Guide
Sam Adams State Resource Guides are designed to help citizens get involved in their home state.
Do you have additional information that you'd like to see on this list? Please email your tips to resources@samadamsalliance.org.
Background
West Virginia has long been dominated by the Democratic Party at the local and state level. The state has also gone to the Democrats in presidential elections up until 2000 when Bush won the state and subsequently in 2004. A couple of the reasons for West Virginia’s left leanings are its strong tradition of union membership and the dominance of the coal industry.
The West Virginia legislature is a part-time legislature that usually is in session 60 days between January and early April. There are no term limits on any member of the state legislature. In the state Senate, there are currently 23 Democrats and 11 Republicans. In the House of Delegates there are 72 Democrats and 28 Republicans.
Issues
Initiative and Referendum
West Virginia citizens have no initiative and referendum rights. There is also no recall of any statewide official. According to West Virginia law though, any city may provide for recall of their officials in their city charter.
Think Tanks
Public Policy Foundation of West Virginia
http://www.westvirginiapolicy.com/
Action Groups
West Virginia Against Lawsuit Abuse
http://www.wvjusticewatch.org/about/index.html
Freedom Works—West Virginia
http://www.cse.org/westvirginia/index.php
Blogs
William Stewart’s Blog
http://www.williamstewart.org/
West Virginia Holler
http://westvirginiaholler.blogspot.com/
Resources
Online Guide to West Virginia Politics
http://www.politics1.com/wv.htm
West Virginia Secretary of State
http://www.wvsos.com/elections/main.htm
QuickFacts U.S. Census Bureau
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54000.html
West Virginia News Media Guide
http://www.wvmediaguide.com/
Political News
West Virginia Political News
http://uspolitics.einnews.com/westvirginia/
Huntington Herald-Dispatch
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news
