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Democratic Executive Committees

West Virginia State Code §3-1-9 establishes several levels of Democratic Executive Committees (DECs). Members are elected in the primary election and serve as the official governing and organizing bodies of the Democratic Party within their jurisdiction.

County Executive Committees (DECs)

What they do

  • Represent Democrats within a county.

  • Handle local party organization, voter outreach, and other party business required by law.

How they are elected

  • Members are elected by magisterial district.

  • The number of seats per district varies by county.

  • Each county’s allocation is established through county commission districting and party rules.

  • Seats are gender-designated, divided between male and female positions.

Where to file

  • County Clerk’s office in the county where the candidate is registered to vote.

Find current County DEC members

Official list published by the West Virginia Secretary of State:

https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Documents/Executive%20Committees/Democratic/Democratic%20County%20Executive%20Committee.pdf

Senatorial District Executive Committees

What they do

  • Represent Democrats within a state Senate district.

  • Coordinate district-level organizing and support legislative candidates.

How they are elected

  • Members are elected from each county within the Senate district.

  • Each county elects one male and one female member.

Where to file

  • County Clerk’s office in the candidate’s county of residence.

Delegate District Executive Committees

What they do

  • Represent Democrats within a House of Delegates district.

  • Support organizing and candidates within the delegate district.

How they are elected

  • Members are elected from each county within the delegate district.

  • Each county elects one male and one female member.

Where to file

  • County Clerk’s office in the candidate’s county of residence.

Find current Delegate DEC members

https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Documents/Executive%20Committees/Democratic/Democratic%20Delegate%20Executive%20Committee.pdf

Congressional District Executive Committees

What they do

  • Represent Democrats within a congressional district.

  • Support Democratic candidates for Congress and district-wide party activity.

How they are elected

  • Members are elected from each county within the congressional district.

  • Each county elects one male and one female member.

Where to file

  • County Clerk’s office in the candidate’s county of residence.

Find current Congressional DEC members

https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Documents/Executive%20Committees/Democratic/Democratic%20Congressional%20Executive%20Committee.pdf

State Executive Committee (WVSDEC)

What it does

  • Serves as the governing body of the West Virginia Democratic Party between conventions.

  • Oversees party rules, candidate support, and statewide party operations.

How members are selected

  • Members include:

    • Four Members elected from each state senatorial district (68 total)

    • Officers, At-large, and ex officio members as provided by party rules are elected at the Organizational Meeting held within 30 days after the Primary

Governing authority

Find current State Executive Committee members

https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Documents/Executive%20Committees/Democratic/Democratic%20State%20Executive%20Committee.pdf

How to Run for an Executive Committee

Executive Committee Filing Locations and Fees

  • County Executive Committee (DEC)

    • File with: County Clerk

    • Filing fee: $10

    Senatorial District Executive Committee

    • File with: County Clerk (county of residence)

    • Filing fee: $5

    Delegate District Executive Committee

    • File with: County Clerk (county of residence)

    • Filing fee: $5

    Congressional District Executive Committee

    • File with: County Clerk (county of residence)

    • Filing fee: $5

    State Executive Committee (SDEC)

    • File with: West Virginia Secretary of State

    • Filing fee: $20

  • What to file: Certificate of Announcement and required filing fee

  • Filing deadline: January 31, 2026

  • ALL Executive Committee seats appear on the May primary ballot in non-presidential election years.

Research Your Representation

The West Virginia Secretary of State maintains official listings of all Democratic Executive Committees statewide.

https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/ExecComm.aspx