CS for HB 5228 WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION ENGROSSED Committee Substitute for House Bill 5228 By Delegates Funkhouser, Akers, Holstein, Ridenour, Heckert, and Martin [By(By Request of the Office of the Secretary of State]State) [Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary;

Reported on February 16, 2026] Eng CS for HB 5228 A BILL to amend and reenact §3-9-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to clarifying the definition of electioneering;

and 1 Eng CS for HB 5228 (6) The verbal or electronic soliciting of votes for or against any bona fide candidate or ballot question in a manner which expressly advocates the election or defeat of the candidate or 1 CS for HB 5228 expressly advocates the passage or defeat of the ballot question.

No A voter may 2 Eng CS for HB 5228 not receive a ballot from any person other than one of the poll clerks;

nor may any person other than a poll clerk deliver a ballot to a commissioner of election to be voted by such the 2 CS for HB 5228 commissioner.

NOTE:

The purpose of this bill is to clarify the definition of electioneering;

describe certain prohibited electioneering information or activity;

exempt from the definition of "electioneering" certain activity and materials;

permit certain persons to enforce election laws and maintain law and order inside the prohibited zone;

and permit certain persons to seek assistance from law-enforcement officer.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading, or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.