Statutes, codes, and regulations
West Virginia Administrative Code
Agency 153 - Secretary Of StateTitle 153 - LEGISLATIVE RULE SECRETARY OF STATE
Series 153-14 - Guidelines For The Use Of Nicknames And Other Designations On The Ballot
Section 153-14-3 - Unallowable Additions or Alterations to Legal Names

W. Va. Code R. § 153-14-3

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Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 153-14-3 - Unallowable Additions or Alterations to Legal Names
3.1. No title, position name or other designation which is not a part of an individual's legal name shall be placed before the name on the ballot.

Examples: Dr., Rev., Capt., Col., Maj., Supt., Pres., Coach, Brother, Father, Rabbi, Chief, Auctioneer, Sen., Cong., Del., Sheriff.

3.2. No degree, rank or other designation which is not a part of an individual's legal name shall be placed before or after a name on the ballot.

Examples: Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M., CPA, R.N., Lt., Sgt. 1st Class.

3.3. No nickname which carries a common meaning which denotes status or membership in a class of persons, or which is commonly used as or suggests a title, position designation, or other similar designation shall be placed before, after, or within a name on the ballot, whether or not the candidate has or has not held the position represented by the title.

Examples: Howard "Sarge" Jones, Earl "Chief" Weber, Lydia (Doc) Miller, "General" Lee Upton, Lou (Coach) Jones, John "Congressman" Adkins.

3.4. No nickname which suggests specific action by the voter shall be placed on the ballot.

Examples: Sam "Single Shot" Roberts, Joe "Vote Straight" Jones.

3.5. No variation in the typography of a name which calls attention to that name on the ballot shall be allowed. The standard for whether the name will be used is one based on the personal common use of the name by the candidate over a period of time. The candidate's signature, legal name status pursuant to W. Va. Code §48-5-1, driver's license, phone book spelling, etc., can be used. If a clear preponderance of such evidence reflects the requested spelling, then it should be printed.

Examples: OTIS Slevptvacowicz, SteVen WilSon, mmm GOODman.

3.6. No slogan may be used under the guise of a nickname.

Examples: Franklin "New Deal" Roosevelt, Jimmy "Why Not The Best" Carter.

3.7. No addition to a legal name may be used to indicate associations with particular individuals or causes.

Examples: Joseph "Reagan" Johnson, Charles "Chuck Yeager" Browning, Mamie "ERA" Monroe, Alice "Gun Control" Anderson.

W. Va. Code R. § 153-14-3