Andrew “Mac” Warner proudly serves as West Virginia’s 30th Secretary of State, currently in his second term. With a background in the military, law, and international experience, Secretary Warner has made significant contributions to ensuring the integrity of elections and facilitating business registration processes.
Secretary Warner graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and obtained his law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law. He also pursued advanced legal studies at the University of Virginia Law School and the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s School.
During his 23-year career in the United States Army, Secretary Warner served in various roles across the globe. He played important roles in military operations, including participating in the capture and transfer of suspected war criminals. His diverse experience includes serving as an artilleryman, prosecutor, defense counsel, command adviser, and law instructor. Notably, he served as the Chief of International Law for the US Army Europe in Heidelberg, Germany, and was a staff member at the U.S. Army War College.
After retiring from the military, Secretary Warner worked with the U.S. State Department in Afghanistan for five years. There, he led a team responsible for advising Afghan institutions on organizational capacity building and the rule of law. His efforts focused on supporting the Afghan Supreme Court, Attorney General’s office, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
Secretary Warner was first elected as Secretary of State in November 2016 and took office in January 2017. He prioritized election integrity and cybersecurity, working closely with county clerks to achieve record-setting numbers in voter registration during his first term. Under his leadership, West Virginia removed deceased, duplicate, outdated, inaccurate, and convicted felon voter files, amounting to approximately 25% of the state’s registered voters. Measures such as voter identification and the establishment of an anti-fraud unit significantly enhanced confidence in election integrity.
Secretary Warner’s commitment to transparent, fair, and fraud-free elections has gained national recognition. He collaborated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop educational programs on election security and cyber threats. His expertise in safeguarding voter databases and election systems has positioned West Virginia as a leader in election security.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Secretary Warner’s administration successfully conducted the 2020 election cycle. West Virginia offered multiple voting options, including electronic voting for military personnel, overseas citizens, and individuals with disabilities. As a result, the state achieved the second-highest voter participation in its history, with over 802,000 ballots cast.
In addition to his electoral responsibilities, Secretary Warner played a pivotal role in streamlining business registration. He collaborated with the WVSOS Business & Licensing Division to establish the WV One Stop Business Center, facilitating quick and convenient business registration by bringing multiple state agencies together.
Secretary Warner’s dedication to public service stems from his deep-rooted connection to West Virginia. He was born and raised in Kanawha County and attended George Washington High School in Charleston. He and his wife Debbie Law Warner, who have been married for 39 years, raised four children, all of whom have served or are currently serving in the United States military.
More information on the WV Secretary of State may be obtained here: https://sos.wv.gov/
