CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Former Fayette County Delegate David Elliott Pritt has officially withdrawn his candidacy for the November 3, 2026, General Election, according to West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner.
The Secretary of State’s Office announced Tuesday that it received formal notice of Pritt’s voluntary withdrawal from the ballot.
Under West Virginia law, a general election candidate may withdraw by filing a notarized statement of withdrawal with the Secretary of State no later than the close of business on Aug. 11.
The Secretary of State’s Office said that, under a 2024 amendment to state election law, the Republican Party cannot replace Pritt on the general election ballot following his withdrawal.
“The Office of the Secretary of State serves a ministerial role for candidate filing, and has very little authority to exercise discretion in candidacy matters,” Warner said.
“The law in this instance is clear. Because the Legislature removed the opportunity for political parties to select replacement candidates on the ballot when a vacancy is created by withdrawal, there is no alternative option to replace the candidate on the ballot.”
The West Virginia State Election Commission had been scheduled to meet Friday, Aug. 7, to consider eligibility challenges involving candidates on the 2026 general election ballot.
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Pritt’s withdrawal means that issue is no longer before the commission, though the meeting will proceed as scheduled to address other election-related business.
Additional information about the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election is available through the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, county clerks, and GoVoteWV.com.
