Until April 22 - the day before early voting starts - unregistered West Virginians may register at 588 locations around the state: county clerk offices, public libraries, senior facilities, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, colleges, universities, Health and Human Resources agencies, Veterans Affairs offices, etc. Or they may visit the state's official election Web site (WVVotes.com), print out a form, and register by mail (but not online, because law requires a written signature).

To register, applicants need a driver's license, photo ID card, utility bill, check stub or other official record of identity and address. Those who register by mail may be asked to present a picture ID at the polls.

Voters who change address may obtain a form from the post office or from WVVotes.com to switch registration to a new location. This, too, must be done by April 22.

This year, for the first time in West Virginia, registered independents may vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary - but not in both. At the poll, each must request a ballot of the desired party.

Early voting begins April 23 at all 55 county clerk offices during regular hours. Also, state law requires these offices to be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the two Saturdays before the election, May 3 and 10. Early voting ends three days before Election Day. Voters who will be gone or bedfast during the entire early voting period may obtain absentee ballots. So may armed forces members on active duty and students attending college out of state.

Final balloting will be on Election Day, May 13, from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

The official election site, WVVotes

.com, lets voters check their own registration, or anyone's. It provides complete candidate lists, precinct location lists, sample ballots, past election returns, the 50-page election calendar, campaign donor lists and other resources.

To register, applicants need a driver's license, photo ID card, utility bill, check stub or other official record of identity and address. Those who register by mail may be asked to present a picture ID at the polls.

Voters who change address may obtain a form from the post office or from WVVotes.com to switch registration to a new location. This, too, must be done by April 22.

This year, for the first time in West Virginia, registered independents may vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary - but not in both. At the poll, each must request a ballot of the desired party.

Early voting begins April 23 at all 55 county clerk offices during regular hours. Also, state law requires these offices to be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the two Saturdays before the election, May 3 and 10. Early voting ends three days before Election Day. Voters who will be gone or bedfast during the entire early voting period may obtain absentee ballots. So may armed forces members on active duty and students attending college out of state.

Final balloting will be on Election Day, May 13, from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

The official election site, WVVotes

.com, lets voters check their own registration, or anyone's. It provides complete candidate lists, precinct location lists, sample ballots, past election returns, the 50-page election calendar, campaign donor lists and other resources.