The 1996 West Virginia secretary of state election was held on November 5, 1996 to elect the secretary of state of West Virginia. Democratic incumbent Ken Hechler successfully won a fourth and final term in a landslide, defeating Republican Vernon R. Hayes, Jr. by nearly forty percentage points.
Democratic primary Candidates Ken Hechler, incumbent secretary of state of West Virginia (1985–2001) Results
Republican primary Candidates Vernon R. Hayes, Jr. Henry L. Thaxton, Christian school administrator Results
General election Candidates Ken Hechler, incumbent secretary of state of West Virginia (1985–2001) (Democratic) Vernon R. Hayes, Jr. (Republican) Results
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