Election integrity has become a hot topic in recent years, but it’s not just about claims of stolen votes, mail-in ballots, or voting machines. At its core, election integrity is about honesty, accountability, and making sure the system truly represents the people it serves.
In local politics, that means ensuring each community has fair and equal representation. That’s why many offices require candidates to live within the district they’re running to represent. When a public official lies about where they live to qualify for a position, it’s not just a small oversight—it’s a serious breach of trust.
If someone is willing to be dishonest about something as basic as their address, it raises a bigger question: What else might they be willing to lie about? Could they bend or break other rules to gain power or influence? And if they’re already bending the truth before they’re even elected, can voters really trust the decisions they’ll make once in office?
Unfortunately, this issue isn’t just hypothetical. In Wood County and across West Virginia, there have been multiple instances of candidates and appointees using addresses where they don’t actually live. Just this past week, two individuals in Cabell County were indicted on three counts of election fraud, false swearing, and conspiracy for using a false address when filing to run for Board of Education.
Residency requirements are in place for a reason—they help ensure local voices are truly heard by people who live and work in their communities. When those rules are ignored or broken, it undermines the public’s faith in the entire system.
Thankfully, the Secretary of State’s office is stepping up to take these cases seriously. By holding individuals accountable for trying to game the system, they send a clear message: election fraud—no matter how small—won’t be tolerated. That kind of accountability is what it takes to restore confidence in our elections and our leaders.
When it comes to democracy, integrity matters. And it begins with something as simple—and essential—as telling the truth about where you live.
