W.Va. Votes Today

Correct Precinct Critical

By JOSELYN KING Political Writer
WHEELING — West Virginians go to the primary election polls today, but they must go to their correct polling location for their vote to count.

That’s because provisional ballots — those votes that are set aside when cast by a voter not on the list for that specific polling location — typically aren’t added into vote totals, according to West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland. Ballots cast at incorrect voting precincts are rejected.

Voters need to make certain they know their correct precinct, she said. They can do this by contacting their local county clerk or county elections office, or by logging on to WVvotes.com and seeking information under “voters.”

County elections officials can be reached by calling the following numbers: 

- Brooke County, 304-737-3661; 

- Hancock County, 304-564-3311; 

- Marshall County, 304-845-1220; 

- Ohio County, 304-234-3750 ; 

- Tyler County 304-758-2102; and 

- Wetzel County, 304-455-8224.

Ireland also pointed out that Independent voters who want to vote a Democrat or Republican party ballot must tell the poll worker this when they sign in at the polls.

Poll workers have been instructed not to ask Independent voters their preference. Those who don’t specify a party ballot will be given a nonpartisan ballot.

If the voter receives a ballot they believe is not the correct one for them, they should inform the poll workers so they can receive the correct ticket.

Polls open at 6:30 a.m. today and close at 7:30 p.m.

Below are some of the contested races that will appear locally on today’s ballot. Incumbents are indicated in bold face type.

- The Democratic primary for state Supreme Court of Appeals is among the most hotly contested on the ballot, and two nominees are to be selected. Those in the running include Robert M. Bastress, Menis E. Ketchum, Elliott E. “Spike” Maynard and Margaret L. Workman.

- Three Democrats want to be secretary of state — Billy Wayne Bailey, Joe DeLong and Natalie Tennant.

-Shane Mallett and Jack Yost will face off for the nomination in the 1st Senate District.

- Meanwhile, two Democrats will be chosen in races for House of Delegates seats. Running in the 1st District are Benton Manypenny, Tamara Pettit and Randy Swartzmiller; in the 2nd District,Tim Ennis, Roy Givens and Calvin Heck; and in the 4th District, Michael Ferro, Ken Tucker and Scott Varner.

- Nonpartisan races for municipal offices are happening in the city of Wheeling, where residents will select a new mayor. Candidates in the race are Tony Domenick and Andy McKenzie.

Candidates for council in the 1st Ward are Donald Bartholomew and Gloria Delbrugge; 2nd Ward – Charles Ballouz, R. Barry Boyd, Irene Cross and Vernon Seals; 3rd Ward — Duane Ellis, Chris Hamm, Robert “Herk” Henry and “Ted” Edwin Maxwell; 4th Ward — Brent Bush, Derrick McKee and James Tiu; 5th Ward — Don Atkinson, William “Bill” Haught, Mark Seitz and Manny Velez; and 6th Ward —Barry Crow and Gene Fahey.

- Also in Wheeling, voters will decide whether to approve renewal levies for fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011 in support of OVRTA. Funds generated would provide the city’s share of any operating cost deficit and the acquisition of equipment and facilities. Class I property would be taxed at a rate of 3.55 cents per $100 of valuation; Class II, 7.10 cents; Class III, none; and Class IV, 14.20 cents.

- In Ohio County, there are Democratic and Republican primaries to select nominees for a new sheriff. Candidates on the Democratic side are August Bankey, George Fahey, James Richard Hall and Vinny Jacovetty, while Pat Butler and John Powell are the Republicans in the race.

There also will be both Democratic and Republican primaries for the office of assessor. Democrats will choose between Kathie Hoffman and Greg Kloeppner; Republicans will select between Art McKenzie and Amy Stanley.

There are six Democrats seeking nomination to four magistrate seats on the ballot this year. They are John Cox, Mark Garrett, Rose Humway, Charles Murphy, Patty Murphy and Harry Radcliffe.

- Nonpartisan school board races also are happening in each county in the Northern Panhandle.