WHEELING - West Virginians have until 5 p.m. Saturday to cast early ballots in time for Tuesday's primary election.
All county courthouses will be open for voting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, the last day of early voting. Today and Friday voters can cast early ballots at the courthouses in these counties at the following times:
- Brooke County at Wellsburg - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Hancock County at New Cumberland - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Marshall County at Moundsville - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today, and until 5:30 p.m. Friday.
- Ohio County at Wheeling - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tyler County at Middlebourne - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wetzel County at New Martinsville - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, and until 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Registered Independent voters can vote either a Democrat or Republican ballot, but they must request a party ballot from poll workers.
Toni Chieffalo, coordinator of elections in Ohio County, said early voting has been steady there but that she expected more to come and vote.
"As we are getting closer to end of week, we have been getting more calls asking us when we will be open," Chieffalo said. "I was surprised. I thought we would be bombarded. It's an important election for us. I hope they get out and vote."
Brooke County has highly contested races for county commission, magistrate and sheriff on the ballot.
"There seems to be interest," said County Clerk Sylvia Benzo. "We have been steady. Voting hasn't died down. It's been continuous. I'm hoping for (an overall) 40 percent turnout, but that's probably stretching it."
In Marshall County, Clerk Jan Pest said early voter turnout has been "average." She said the early option does make voting convenient.
