Ohio County Sets Ballot For November General Election
WHEELING — Elections officials in Ohio County Tuesday checked the “p’s,” the “q’s” and all the commas and periods on the Nov. 8 general election ballot to make certain there is no controversy this time when voters go to the polls.
Ohio County Coordinator of Elections Toni Chieffalo, and ballot commissioners Debi Smith, a Republican, and Frank Ellis, a Democrat, closely examined the ballot information in preparation for the upcoming election. Their actions came following a primary election in which questions were raised about the ballot presented to voters, and how names in the race for board of education were organized.
The name of candidate Sarah Koegler — who ultimately won the election — was separated from the others and on another page.
On Tuesday, Chieffalo had the ballot commissioners examine the layout of the ballot. The three also went over the spelling of each candidate’s name, as well as their hometowns and party affiliations listed on the ballot.
Some candidate names included their middle initial, while some did not. Smith and Ellis asked questions about why periods were placed after some middle initials, and not for others. For example, the middle initial of Republican presidential candidate “Donald J. Trump” has a period, while the middle initial of Libertarian candidate for agriculture commissioner “Buddy A Guthrie” is listed without a period. The nickname of Republican state auditor candidate John “JB” McCuskey also will be on the ballot without any periods.
“However they wrote it down when they filed, that’s how we have to list them,” Chieffalo said.
Ohio County voters also will see two issues on their general election ballot. The first is a local option resulting from the “brunch bill” passed this year by the West Virginia Legislature. If approved in Ohio County, the option would permit the sale of non-intoxicating beer, wine and alcoholic liquor for on-premise consumption as early as 10 a.m. on Sundays in Ohio County.
The second is the renewal of an Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority levy through 2020 to provide funds for Wheeling’s share of OVRTA’s costs. The additional levy will be on Class I property at 4.08 cents per $100 of current assessed value; and Class II property, 8.16 cents.
Under the renewal levy there would be no tax on Class III property, and the rate for Class IV property would be 16.32 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Drawings also were held Tuesday to determine ballot position in House of Delegate races in which there are multiple candidates listed from each party.
In the 3rd District race, the name of Delegate Erikka Storch, R-Ohio, will be above that of her Republican competition, Scott Reed.
In the 4th District race, Democrat Joe Canestraro will get top position over Delegate Mike Ferro, D-Marshall. Also in the 4th District, Republican candidate Del T. Kelley will be listed first on the ballot and incumbent David A. Evans, second.
Ohio County Commissioner Tim McCormick was present to observe the proceedings.
No issues were raised by ballot commissioners regarding the proposed ballot before them.
COMMENTS