Early Voters Want Voices To Be Heard
By JOSELYN KINGArticle Photos
WHEELING - At least 627 residents cast early ballots in the Northern Panhandle on Wednesday - the first day of early voting in West Virginia.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, Ohio County reported 193 early voters; Marshall County, 130; Wetzel County, 95; Brooke County, 90; Hancock County, 65; and Tyler County, 54.
The numbers were especially high in smaller Brooke County, where County Clerk Sylvia Benzo termed the traffic of voters "pretty steady." She said 50 voted there before noon.
Hancock County election workers, though, said they expected more residents would vote early Wednesday.
Dalston Radosevich of Wheeling sat closest to the door as he waited for early voting to start in Ohio County Wednesday, and he said it was because he wanted to make a statement with his vote.
"I want to change racism," he said.
As to whether he thought his vote would make a difference, Radosevich said, "It better."
R.C. Trussell was of a similar mindset when he cast his vote, and he noted it was a particular point of pride with him. He said he was among the first to cast a ballot Wednesday.
"This may not seem like much now, but when we ponder the history of voting in the 2008 general election - years down the path - I feel a little proud of being the first in this county ... to vote for our first black or bi-racial party candidate for president of the United States," he said.
There were 14 people in line outside Room 102 at the City-County Building in Wheeling at 9 a.m. Wednesday, and many said they hoped to make changes in the world with their vote and were casting early ballots to make this happen.
Others, meanwhile, said they were voting early for the convenience.
Pat and Mary Ellen Cassidy of Wheeling were hoping to achieve both by being among the first to vote. The couple said they have other plans for Election Day and would not be available during normal voting hours.
"I hope the country votes for the future of the children and chooses the right path," Mary Ellen Cassidy said. "One path is the one we're on, and the other is a path for change. I hope people choose the right one."
Tina Welling of Wheeling was the first to exit the early voting polls in Ohio County, and she commented that military action in the Middle East was on her mind.
"I just wanted to get it done and over with," she said. "I just want to bring our boys home."
Tom Cerra of Wheeling also was among those to first cast ballots in the primary election in May. A local union leader, he said jobs, the economy and the environment were the most important issues to him.
"I just wanted to get it done early," Cerra said.
There are eight touchscreen voting devices set up for early voting in Ohio County.
Early voting in West Virginia continues through Saturday, Nov. 1.
Voters will be able to cast early ballots on weekdays at their respective county courthouses at the following times: Brooke County - 9 a.m to 5 p.m.; Hancock County - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Marshall County - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 5:30 p.m. Fridays; Ohio County - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tyler County - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In Wetzel County, the hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays.
Election Day is Nov. 4.
Early voting has only been part of one previous presidential election, but it proved popular. The Associated Press reports about 126,500 people, more than 10 percent of all registered voters, cast their ballots early in 2004, when President George W. Bush carried the state.
In the May 13 primary this year, a total of 70,815 residents marked ballots during the early voting period. That's nearly 14 percent of the overall number of primary votes cast, far surpassing the roughly 27,000 early votes cast in the 2004 primary.
Unlike 2004, though, West Virginia has not been targeted by either presidential campaign, and the registration of new voters has lagged behind what it was four years ago.
The official tally won't be available until Friday at the earliest, but the most recent figures from Secretary of State Betty Ireland's office show 1,204,407 registered voters, an increase of 20,912 from the May 13 primary. Four years ago, the voter rolls jumped by more than 65,000 between the primary and the general election.
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wonderwhy
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10-17-08 7:04 AM
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tmoore- bush won by 120,000 in ohio. but there were several precints that didn't allow registered voters to vote. there were many articles abou tit in cleveland plain dealer. no one wants voter fraud. no one wants to see our elections rigged.
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tmoore
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10-16-08 9:24 PM
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Bush won Ohio by 200000 and now the Obama paid ACORN turns in 200000 phony dem registrationsin Ohio. Surprise,surprise. Amazing what$832000 will do.
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tmoore
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10-16-08 9:19 PM
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Just saw Biden say it boils down to this three letter word. JOBS. A heartbeat from the president,and Pelosi is two beats away.Their is a hell.
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gliderider
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10-16-08 8:40 PM
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vote democrap,,,,,,it's worked so well for west virgina............................. :)
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EllisWyatt
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10-16-08 6:38 PM
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jeffww ACORN submitting false registration forms for the benefit of Republicans? You are truly an Obama fan (demonstrated by your lack of logic and possible hard drug use). ACORN does NOT benefit the Republicans. The Democrats are stealing everything they can, which is consistent with their beliefs. They steal votes, they steal tax dollars, they steal classified documents (Sandy Burglar), they steal an intern's innocence (Bill Clinton) and they steal the dignity of blacks. Look up thief and you will most likely see a Social Democrat's face next to the word.
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EllisWyatt
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10-16-08 6:34 PM
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wvuweirton Buffett reported a gross income of about $45 million in 2007. His secretary earned about $60,000. I doubt that he paid less in taxes than his secretary. Also, his RATE would be lower because his income came from royalties, dividends, etc. and was considered capital gains, which is taxed at 15%. His secretary probably paid 25%. So, Buffet may have paid just over $6 million in taxes; his secretary-about $13,000 after deductions. Buffett has not invested his own money to "keep companies alive". He took advantage of Nebraska's lax insurance laws to keep low reserves and invest the balance in blue chip companies. Over the years, the investments grew faster than claims. Buffett invested in Wal-Mart, P&G, Wells Fargo, Coca-Cola, Gillette, etc. Not exactly dying companies in need of help. If you or Buffett feel that you are not paying enough in taxes, by all means, give more. The government allows you to do this. Just don't expect me to give more because I won'
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wonderwhy
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10-16-08 5:01 PM
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ha! anyone catch the breaking news! the tunnel may open again some day!
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wonderwhy
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10-16-08 5:00 PM
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tmoore- u really do listen to rush too much
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tmoore
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10-16-08 2:53 PM
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Good news wonder is some can vote in Ohio 70 times.Dems seem to like tthat as none have spoken against it.Bozo in Ohio wont even follow the courts decision. Jail her or give her a free rope.
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kmd0302
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10-16-08 2:11 PM
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Both candidates scare me, who do we believe???? This country is in a mess and who's going to put us in a bigger mess????? The bailout did not help me in anyway as a matter of fact hurt me (stocks) but what do you do????? All this bull**** on television is just that BULL****. Tis is NOT 1992 but 2008 and noone can predict what the next president will do. Biden promised a whole bunc of crap and did not give any solution on how THEY are going to do it. Alot of words he is unable to back up. This is like I said VERY SCARY and as a democrate PETRIFIED
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wonderwhy
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10-16-08 10:41 AM
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tmoore- your mentality is what is wrong with our country.
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tmoore
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10-16-08 10:08 AM
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***********washingtontimes****/news/2008/oct/15/biden-routes-campaign-cash-to-family-their-firms/ poor joe,he gave $300 to charity on his tax return.
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tmoore
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10-16-08 9:46 AM
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1992? I know you dont want to bring up all that Chinese money the dems were slushing around and inviting to the white house. Oh you dont want to go there or Obamas illegal foreign money that they will suddenly discover after the election. 832 thousand to ACORNmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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tmoore
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10-16-08 9:43 AM
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You forgot to mention Raines the Fannie Mae crook who gave 500 thousand to Obama to look the other way and made 90 million before he was fired was listed as Obamas housing advisor. Laughable if it wasnt so criminal. Give em a free rope.
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tmoore
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10-16-08 9:40 AM
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Obamas new math. 40% of the people pay NO taxes,but he is giving a tax break to 95%???? MMMM Many call that welfare socialism. On top of higher business taxes,he will make certain a depression hit,probably in Wheeling sooner than later.He sure told Joe the plumber he will take his money and give it to someone else. Give em a free rope.
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tmoore
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10-16-08 9:35 AM
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Buffett invests Berkshire money to make money,not help companies.You seemed to have skipped over yesterdays front page news in Wash DC about Biden paying his sister and lobbyist son 2 million dollars from his campaign money. Yes,lobbyist son.So much for the poor ,ethical Scranton workboy. @ million to sister and sons law firm. Give em a free rope.
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wvuweirton
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10-16-08 7:52 AM
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WARREN BUFFETT, ONE OF THE RICHEST MEN IN THE WORLD RECENTLY SAID HIS SECRETARY PAYS MORE TAXES THAN HE DOES...HE SUPPORTS OBAMA. HE HAS ALSO INVESTED BILLIONS UP BILLIONS OF HIS OWN MONEY KEEPING COMPANIES ALIVE...BUT THE FACT IS - ONLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS LIKE BUFFETT WHO MAKES OVER $250,000 DOLLARS WILL SEE THEIR TAXES INCREASED. EVERYONE ELSE WILL SEE A DECREASE...OBAMA TAX PLAN HASN'T CHANGE UNLIKE McCAINS PROPOSALS WHICH CHANGE DAILY!!!
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wvuweirton
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10-16-08 7:37 AM
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William Timmons, the Washington lobbyist who John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team, aided an influence effort on behalf of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to ease international sanctions against his regime. The two lobbyists who Timmons worked closely with over a five year period on the lobbying campaign later either pleaded guilty to or were convicted of federal criminal charges that they had acted as unregistered agents of Saddam Hussein's government. During the same period beginning in 1992, Timmons worked closely with the two lobbyists, Samir Vincent and Tongsun Park, on a previously unreported prospective deal with the Iraqis in which they hoped to be awarded a contract to purchase and resell Iraqi oil. Timmons, Vincent, and Park stood to share at least $45 million if the business deal went through. (Whole story in the Huffington Post.)
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