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Let’s Put It to a Vote

The West Virginia state capital was moved twice between Wheeling and Charleston in its first 12 years. In 1877, the legislature decided to let the people choose the capital's permanent site. Legislators narrowed down an initial list of twelve sites to three cities: Charleston, Clarksburg, and Martinsburg. Interestingly, Wheeling did not make the final ballot. First Capitol of West Virginia

On August 6, 1877, state voters chose Charleston by a large margin, followed by Clarksburg and Martinsburg.

Charleston 41,243
Clarksburg 29,442
Martinsburg 8,046

If the referendum were held today, which city would you choose to be the state capital?

Please select one of the cities listed OR write in your choice in the space provided below.

Charleston
Clarksburg
Martinsburg
Other (write in only one city)

As of October 21, 2002, the present standings are:

Charleston 721

Huntington 128

Clarksburg 95

Martinsburg 84

Morgantown 77

Richwood 74

Wheeling 73

Sissonville 51

Winfield 29

St. Mary’s 25

Parkersburg 12

Beckley 10

Fairmont 10

Hurricane 10

Elkins 9

Flatwoods 9

Sutton 9

Big Ugly 9

Williamstown 8

Grafton 7

Princeton 7

Summersville 7

Nitro 6

Spencer 6

Goldtown 5

Kenova 5

Salem 5

Berkeley Springs 4

Bretz 4

Buckhannon 4

Lewisburg 4

New Creek 4

Shepherdstown 4

Arthurdale 3

Bluefield 3

Cashmere 3

Charles Town 3

Clay 3

Danville 3

Miami 3

Paw Paw 3

Pinch 3

Pineville 3

Poca 3

Richmond, VA 3

Ripley 3

Big Otter 2

Bramwell 2

Bruceton Mills 2

Ceredo 2

Craigsville 2

Dunbar 2

Elizabeth 2

Elkview 2

Fayetteville 2

Fenwick 2

Gallagher (formerly Mucklow) 2

Glenville 2

Helvetia 2

Jane Lew 2

Japah 2

Keyser 2

Las Vegas, NV 2

Left Hand 2

Mannington 2

Moorefield 2

New Orleans, LA 2

New York, NY 2

Oak Hill 2

Philippi 2

Point Pleasant 2

St. Albans 2

Shrewsbury 2

Smithers 2

Weston 2

Zenith 2

Akron, OH 1

Barrackville 1

Belle 1

Belmont 1

Big Valley 1

Bomont 1

Boomer 1

Caldwell 1

Chester 1

Chloe 1

Clendenin 1

Colfax 1

Columbus, OH 1

Cowen 1

Crab Orchard 1

East Bank 1

Eccles 1

Erbacon 1

Falls Mill 1

Finzel, MD 1

Frost 1

Gassaway 1

Glen Daniel 1

Grantsville 1

Harpers Ferry 1

Hewell 1

Hinton 1

Holcomb 1

Huttonsville 1

Jefferson 1

Jolo 1

Julian 1

Logan 1

Madison 1

Malden 1

Man 1

Marlinton 1

Masontown 1

Milton 1

Mink Shoals 1

Monongah 1

Mullens 1

Nimitz 1

Peterstown 1

Peytona 1

Pickens 1

Pisgah 1

Reedy 1

Ridgeley 1

Romney 1

Ronceverte 1

Scott Depot 1

Shady Spring 1

Shenandoah Junction 1

Sinks Grove 1

Snowshoe 1

South Charleston 1

Tioga 1

Van 1

Virginia Beach, VA 1

Wallace 1

Walton 1

War 1

Webster 1

Webster Springs 1

Wendia 1

Whitesville 1

Winifrede 1

Winston 1

Yates 1

View photos of the various Capitols