WV Secretary of State's office developing program for new voter ID law

West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner is launching a new program to help educate residents on the state voter identification law going into effect January 1.

Beginning January 1, state voters will be required to show a valid ID to vote in person during early voting or Election Day. The "Be Registered & Be Ready to Vote" campaign is meant to help educated voters on the specifics of the identification requirements as well as address the exceptions, and answer any frequently asked questions.

Officials say the Secretary of State’s Election Division is also working with county clerks to provide free photo IDs to registered voters who do not have identification required by the new law.

The office says it is also working with numerous stakeholders to develop the campaign.

The voter identification law was passed in 2016 and signed into law by former governor Earl Ray Tomblin.