Photo: wvlegislature.govWV · Officeholder
RDelegate · District 74
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: West Virginia House of Delegates District 74
Guy Ward is a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for District 74, appointed in January 2026 after earlier service in the House, and is running for election to the seat in the November 3, 2026 general election. He previously represented District 50.[1][2]
Guy Ward was born in Grafton and lives in White Hall, West Virginia.[1] He graduated from Grafton High School in 1974 and earned an associate degree from Fairmont State College.[1] His career experience includes working as a material analyst with First Energy and as operations and project manager with Fairmont Community Development Partnership.[1] Ward previously served in the House of Delegates for District 50, from 2016 to 2018 and from 2020 to 2022.[1] He was appointed to District 74, succeeding Republican Mike DeVault, on January 27, 2026, assumed office on January 29, 2026, and advanced from the Republican primary on May 12, 2026.[1]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Guy Ward is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for West Virginia House of Delegates District 74 as R. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
Most contested
As passed by the House, requires all employers to register with E-Verify, check new hires' work authorization and keep records, gives employers who use E-Verify a legal defense, removes some criminal penalties, and sets escalating sanctions from warnings to state-contract bans and business-license revocation.
Feb 10, 2026 · Passed 48–46 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Exempting certain employees from the classified civil service system
On the version voted Mar 14, 2026: Exempts new hires and promoted employees in the Departments of Health Facilities, Human Services and Health from the classified civil service system and state grievance procedures starting July 1, 2026. Secretaries may restore coverage where federal law requires; bars nepotism and favoritism in decisions.
Mar 4, 2026 · Passed 51–38 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
To create the Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program
As passed by the House, creates a five-year Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program for Boone, Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties, with a council to coordinate existing state, local and university resources for economic development, annual reports, and outreach to businesses on existing tax credits.
Feb 20, 2026 · Failed 48–48 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter
On the version voted Mar 11, 2026: Lengthens prison terms for second-degree murder to 15 to 60 years and voluntary manslaughter to 5 to 25 years, sets minimum time served before parole for each, and raises minimum time before parole for life sentences.
Mar 6, 2026 · Failed 45–47 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As passed by the House, requires all employers to register with E-Verify, check new hires' work authorization and keep records, gives employers who use E-Verify a legal defense, removes some criminal penalties, and sets escalating sanctions from warnings to state-contract bans and business-license revocation.
Feb 10, 2026 · Passed 48–46 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Prohibiting law enforcement from placing surveillance cameras on private property
Feb 25, 2026 · Failed 30–62 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education code.
As first passed by the House, before Senate and later House amendments, repeals education code sections on teacher professional development, a behavior interventionist pilot program, use of school buildings as child care facilities, and the High School Graduation Improvement Act.
Mar 14, 2026 · Failed 47–49 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Supplemental appropriation to State Board of Education, fund 3517
Mar 12, 2026 · Passed 68–25 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
To modify the school aid funding formula.
As passed by the House, keeps the current school aid formula through 2028-29, then funds county school systems with a $6,100-per-student block grant, $8,600 per charter school student, and a supplemental fund for special-needs students and other extra costs.
Mar 4, 2026 · Failed 24–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
On the version voted Mar 13, 2026: Creates the Vape Safety Act, requiring a state license ($1,200 annual fee) for vape or smoke shops. Sets applicant qualifications, requires shops to be at least 300 feet from churches, schools and daycares, regulates signs and sales, and sets criminal and administrative penalties.
Feb 27, 2026 · Failed 29–61 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Prohibition on cell-cultured products
Feb 13, 2026 · Passed 64–25 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Requiring MDs and DOs to complete continuing education
Requires physicians renewing their medical or osteopathic licenses to complete continuing medical education in nutrition, and authorizes rulemaking.
Feb 3, 2026 · Passed 58–35 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Clarifying Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to regulate bees
As introduced, makes the Agriculture Commissioner the sole regulator of beekeeping and apiaries, overriding local rules, and requires clear and convincing evidence of damage for lawsuits against nearby farm operations.
Mar 12, 2026 · Passed 49–40 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Relating generally to aboveground storage tanks
Mar 12, 2026 · Passed 58–34 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Relating to indexing of license and stamp fees
Removes the January 1, 2021 cutoff on indexing hunting and fishing license and stamp fees, so the Natural Resources director may keep proposing rule increases tied to the Consumer Price Index, rounded down to the nearest dollar.
Mar 4, 2026 · Passed 61–32 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Modifying priority of insurance coverage for drivers of certain vehicles provided by entities
Changes which insurance pays first for vehicles supplied by dealers, repair shops and rental or leasing companies. A driver's own coverage is primary for a permitted replacement vehicle with no separate charge; an employee's coverage is secondary when driving for work.
Mar 11, 2026 · Passed 77–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Mar 14, 2026: Directs the Division of Motor Vehicles commissioner to seek reciprocal agreements with Ireland and Japan so their lawfully present citizens may drive in West Virginia on valid home licenses. Requires insurance compliance, allows fees, and says recognition does not register holders to vote.
Feb 20, 2026 · Passed 88–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
WV Short Line Railroad Modernization Act
Mar 9, 2026 · Passed 89–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Camping ban on certain public property.
Mar 3, 2026 · Passed 62–32 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Relating to duties of licensees under the West Virginia Real Estate License Act
Mar 4, 2026 · Passed 80–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Feb 6, 2026 · Passed 84–8 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Replaces agencies' self-assessment reports with an annual cybersecurity program review with the Office of Technology by November 30, and lets the state Chief Information Security Officer set minimum training requirements for users of state systems.
Mar 14, 2026 · Passed 96–1 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 21 of 106 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (8), Education & families (5), Health & care (4)
Reforming State Personnel System
What it does: Ends the separate personnel systems for Transportation, the State Tax Division and Social Services, terminates the State Personnel Board and moves its duties to the Division of Personnel, and exempts new and promoted…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 71–17
Mar 14, 2026Official record ↗
Exempting certain employees from the classified civil service system
What it does: Exempts new hires and promoted employees in the Departments of Health Facilities, Human Services and Health from the classified civil service system and state grievance procedures starting July 1, 2026. Secretaries ma…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 62–25
Mar 14, 2026Official record ↗
Repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education code.
What it does: As first passed by the House, before Senate and later House amendments, repeals education code sections on teacher professional development, a behavior interventionist pilot program, use of school buildings as child c…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 9–0, Republicans 38–49
Mar 14, 2026Official record ↗
Repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education code.
What it does: As first passed by the House, before Senate and later House amendments, repeals education code sections on teacher professional development, a behavior interventionist pilot program, use of school buildings as child c…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 9–0, Republicans 31–52
Mar 14, 2026Official record ↗
Relating to annexation by minor boundary adjustment
What it does: As introduced, removes the limit allowing a city only one annexation by minor boundary adjustment every two years, keeping the existing caps on how much a single adjustment can expand the city.
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 68–17
Mar 13, 2026Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter
Against most of their party · Failed 45–47 · Yes 45–No 47 · Democrats 9–0, Republicans 36–47
Mar 6, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 48–46 · Yes 48–No 46 · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 48–37
Feb 10, 2026Official record ↗
Repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education code.
Against most of their party · Failed 47–49 · Yes 47–No 49 · Democrats 9–0, Republicans 38–49
Mar 14, 2026Official record ↗
Clarifying Commissioner of Agriculture's authority to regulate bees
Against most of their party · Passed 49–40 · Yes 49–No 40 · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 49–31
Mar 12, 2026Official record ↗
Exempting certain employees from the classified civil service system
Against most of their party · Passed 51–38 · Yes 51–No 38 · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 51–29
Mar 4, 2026Official record ↗
Relating generally to aboveground storage tanks
With most of their party · Passed 58–34 · Yes 58–No 34 · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 58–25
Mar 12, 2026Official record ↗
To create the Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program
Against most of their party · Failed 48–48 · Yes 48–No 48 · Democrats 8–1, Republicans 40–47
Feb 20, 2026Official record ↗
Reforming State Personnel System
Against most of their party · Passed 58–32 · Yes 58–No 32 · Democrats 0–8, Republicans 58–24
Mar 4, 2026Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: Constitutional Rule Suspended
Amends the 2026 budget's State Department of Education appropriations, funded from the unappropriated General Revenue surplus; the amended list includes $8,000,000 for a Hancock County Board of Education financial stability loan program.
Motion: Effective from passage
Amends the 2026 budget's State Department of Education appropriations, funded from the unappropriated General Revenue surplus; the amended list includes $8,000,000 for a Hancock County Board of Education financial stability loan program.
Motion: Motion for previous question adopted
Motion: House concurred in Senate amendment with amendment
Lets people aged 18 to 20 who are U.S. citizens or legal residents and not prohibited from possessing firearms carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license; repeals the offense of carrying without a license for those under 21.
Motion: House concurred in Senate amend with amend, passed bill
Motion: Passed House
Allows teachers with at least 15 years' experience at the elementary, middle or high school level to be certified as principals at that level after completing a year-long Department of Education program in school administration, beginning July 1, 2026.
Motion: Passed House
Makes it lawful to prescribe, distribute and market a drug containing psilocybin, including crystalline polymorph psilocybin compositions, if the FDA approves it and the DEA reschedules it, despite its Schedule I listing.
Motion: Passed House
Repeals the annual reporting requirement for the West Virginia Research Trust Fund by removing §18B-18A-12 from the Code.
Motion: Passed House
As introduced, makes the Agriculture Commissioner the sole regulator of beekeeping and apiaries, overriding local rules, and requires clear and convincing evidence of damage for lawsuits against nearby farm operations.
Motion: Passed House
Showing 10 of 378 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.