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How Reflective is the State Legislature in West Virginia?

Let's dive deeper into West Virginia. Use the tool below to explore how well — or poorly — women are represented in each legislative body.

Women in West Virginia are severely under-represented in their State Legislature. At 15% in the State Senate and 11% in the House, the state is far below the national average for women legislators. Women of color are also severely under-represented, with many groups holding few or no seats. Explore how reflective your State Legislature currently stands, along with the corresponding policy landscape.

How reflective is this legislature?

Full Legislature

Representation of Women in the overall of West Virginia in comparison to the representation of Women in the population

50.5%

of the state population are Women

11.9% (16 out of 134 seats)
of state legislators are Women

"In West Virginia, only 11.9% of are Women, despite being 50.5% of the state's population."

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Senate

Representation of Women in the senate of West Virginia in comparison to the representation of Women in the population

50.5%

of the state population are Women

14.7% (5 out of 34 seats)
of state senators are Women

"In West Virginia, only 14.7% of state senators are Women, despite being 50.5% of the state's population."

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House

Representation of Women in the house of West Virginia in comparison to the representation of Women in the population

50.5%

of the state population are Women

11% (11 out of 100 seats)
of state representatives are Women

"In West Virginia, only 11% of state representatives are Women, despite being 50.5% of the state's population."

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Over-represented

Severely under-represented

Close to equal representation

No representation

Under-represented

Groupfull legislaturesenatehouse
Asian American or Pacific Islander Women
Black Women
Latina Women
Middle Eastern or North African Women
Native American or Alaska Native Women
White Women
Women
Women of Color

Data source: Center for American Women and Politics, Rutgers University

Explore the data

Explore the policy landscape in West Virginia

West Virginia is rated F in Gun Safety

Rank: 19

Most gun deaths

Fewest gun deaths

Rank: 34

Strongest laws

Weakest laws


Abortion Access is Illegal in West Virginia

After the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, states that ban abortion entirely and enforce those bans through criminal penalties are characterized as "Illegal."


West Virginia requests an ID to vote

Can vote provisional ballot without ID

Everything you wanted to know about serving in the West Virginia legislature

Senate
No women in leadership
No women in leadership
Type

Part-time

Salary$20,000
# of Members34
Party controlRepublican
House
No women in leadership
No women in leadership
Type

Part-time

Salary$20,000
# of Members100
Party controlRepublican

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