News Game
Say What?: A voter identity crisis
Will West Virginia comply with the DOJ's request for voter information? Discover the answer in this Local News Game.
February 16, 2026 | 3:00 am ET
Since May 2025, the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) has been requesting that states release the personal data of registered voters. Many have refused. In response, the federal government has sued some states to force the release of the information, which includes voters' Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and other sensitive identification information.
Last week, West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner sent a letter to the DOJ in response to the federal government's request for West Virginia voter information. He also released a statement regarding the state's position on the matter.
So what exactly was Warner's response to the feds? Complete the quote in the Kanawha Valley Update's inaugural "Say What?" Local News Game to find out.
Voter Identity Crisis
State law is clear: voter lists are available in a
format from my office, but I'll not be over any West Virginian's information.
— Kris Warner, West Virginia's Secretary of State, on the federal DOJ's request for voter's personal information.
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Michael Ramsburg is a Kanawha County communities reporter and the editor/founder of the Kanawha Valley Update. He can be reached at ramsburgreports@gmail.com or by calling 304-370-3067.
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