West Virginia’s 55 county clerks are set to convene in August for a conference focused on preparing for the 2026 elections. Secretary of State Warner emphasized that county clerks are the primary election officials in the state,with his office’s role being to provide them with the necessary tools for enhanced efficiency.Warner highlighted the complex landscape of election administration, citing federal and state regulations, new state laws, and presidential executive orders.He assured that his office is proactively planning for various contingencies, stating, “We’re going to be able to roll with it. We’re on top of the game.”
The Secretary of State’s Elections Division is a smaller entity with six employees. The majority of the office’s staff are dedicated to the Business Division, which handles the registration of corporations and limited liability companies, among othre responsibilities. to date,over 8,000 new business registrations have been processed by the office.The Secretary of State’s Office continues to offer in-person services at its Capitol office, the One Stop Business Center in Charleston, and business hubs in Clarksburg and martinsburg. To further assist individuals navigating business registration and other services, the office has integrated artificial intelligence (AI).
The office recently received recognition from the International Association of Commercial Administrators for SOLO (Single Online Location), an AI chatbot designed to guide users through the business registration process and offer additional support. Warner described SOLO as an AI tool that “expedites business, customers’ needs, and is able to answer questions.”
Another new technological offering is VirtualOneStop, an online platform enabling virtual appointments with the Secretary of State’s Business Division. This allows staff to provide personalized assistance to individuals via their computers. Warner explained that users can schedule appointments at their convenience, even specifying a preferred staff member. He noted that these virtual meetings can include screen sharing for direct guidance.
While acknowledging the accessibility of physical offices within a two-hour drive for most residents, Warner stressed the importance of remote accessibility, stating, “what’s more notable is being able to do it from your flannel pajamas and your bedroom if you so choose 24/7. We’re just trying to make it as easy as possible.”
A key objective for Warner is to position the Secretary of State’s Office as a central point of contact,akin to a “secretary,” to direct the public to relevant state and federal agencies. He noted that the office frequently receives inquiries outside its direct purview. To address this, the office is cross-training its staff at the West Virginia One stop Business Center to provide information on agencies like the EDA, USDA, and the Small Business Administration, without increasing headcount.
Warner expressed his desire for the office to serve as a valuable resource, stating, “We want to be a resource…people just don’t know where to go in state government.” He believes his office excels at connecting individuals with the appropriate state government contacts.