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W.Va. Early Voting Starts Wednesday

Officials Expecting Strong Turnout

WHEELING — A contentious presidential election has had its share of theatre and drama, but beginning Wednesday West Virginia voters take the stage to help bring the election to its climactic end.

Early voting season starts Wednesday across the Mountain State, and continues through Nov. 5. Voters may cast ballots at local courthouses during regular business hours on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

There is no voting in West Virginia on Sundays.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

While many voters have expressed displeasure with their candidate choices for president, others have been energized by this year’s election process. Local election officials expect the public to turn out and vote, based on the number of phone calls and absentee ballot requests they’ve already received.

In Ohio County, more than 600 absentee ballots already have been sent out, while just 375 were mailed prior to the primary election on May 10, according to Toni Chieffalo, coordinator of elections.

This year’s election also brought people out to register to vote, some of them for the first time.

“We’ve had some people come in to register say they’ve never voted before in their lives — and they’re in their 60s,” said elections clerk Linda Yost.

Wetzel County Clerk Carol Haught expects a high turnout based on the number of people calling the office to ask questions.

“We’re hearing more people say they are going to come out to vote for or against a candidate — rather than saying they are against the system and not bothering to vote,” she said.

The same is true in Brooke County, according to County Clerk Sylvia Benzo. She believes voters there “absolutely” will turn out to vote.

“We’ve had numerous calls over the last few weeks, and there seems to be a huge interest,” Benzo said. “I anticipate a huge turnout.”

There are many races on the Nov. 8 ballot under the race for president, and many of these could hinge on just who turns out to cast ballots for the election. Voters will decide races for West Virginia governor and state offices, as well as many local contests.

While most polls place West Virginia as a “red state” solidly behind Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, registered Democrats still outnumber Republicans in most local counties, according to data compiled by the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.

The exception is in Tyler County, where there are 3,060 Republicans versus 1,962 Democrats. There are 1,393 Independent voters there, 11 members of the Mountain Party, 17 Libertarians and 92 not affiliated with any party. The total number of registered voters in Tyler County is 6,535.

Brooke County boasts 18,854 voters, and among them are 10,199 Democrats, 4,562 Republicans and 3,647 Independent voters. Mountain Party members total 13; Liberatarian, 60; and those with no party affiliation, 373.

In Hancock County, there are 12,591 Democrats, versus 6,854 Republicans. There are 4,720 Independent voters; 24 Mountain Party members; 87 Liberatarians; and 297 belonging to other parties, bringing the total number of voters to 24,573.

Democrats in Marshall County total 9,371; and Republicans, 6,352. Also registered are 4,455 Independents; 24 Mountain Party members; 59 Liberatarians; and 544 not affiliated with a political party. There are 20,805 voters registered in Marshall County.

In Ohio County, 29,654 are registered to vote. Among the number are 12,574 Democrats, 9,528 Republicans and 5,478 Independents. Also included in the count are 33 Mountain Party members; 100 Liberatarians and 1,941 without a party affiliation.

Wetzel County has 6,793 registered Democrats, 2,737 Republicans, and 1,784 Independent voters. Adding to the total are 12 Mountain Party members, 24 Liberatarians and 567 non-affiliated, giving Wetzel County 11,917 voters.

“Early voting provides a perfect opportunity to take your time and work voting into a busy schedule,” said Secretary of State Natalie Tennant. “Voting is a right and a duty, and whether you go during the early voting period or on Nov. 8, I urge West Virginians to make their voices heard.”

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