|Photo by Joselyn King| Ohio County Commissioner Zach Abraham, left, listens as County Administrator Randy Russell discusses county business before the commissioners.

WHEELING – More than 1,000 people already have cast ballots in Ohio County for next week’s primary election.

Ohio County Administrator Randy Russell told county commissioners Tuesday night that as of Tuesday, 1,008 ballots had been cast in the county.

Commissioners asked if the county is on track to set an early voting record this year, and it appears that could happen. County Finance Director Rodd Archey said during the 2020 primary, just over 1,300 early ballots were cast.

Early voting continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the City-County Building through Saturday.

Election Day, meanwhile, is Tuesday, May 14. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

Russell reported 300 absentee ballots were mailed out on Tuesday, and more than 230 poll workers will be available in the county.

Commissioner Zach Abraham asked if there would be any election officials going to hospitals to allow people to vote who are hospitalized and can’t get to the polls, and Russell told him there would be.

Ohio County Circuit Clerk Brenda Miller spoke to commissioners about the upcoming West Virginia Circuit Clerk’s Association spring conference, which will be happening this year from June 24-27 at the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.

“We’ll have all the circuit clerks and the deputy clerks from all across West Virginia to enjoy our area,” Miller told commissioners. “Everything I am trying to do and put together for the conference is all local, and I would like to keep it that way and showcase our county and what we have to offer.”

She told commissioners any sponsorships in the form of community grants from the county could help cover costs associated with the conference, and “would be appreciated.”

Commissioners agreed to discuss the matter and place it on the agenda for consideration.

Miller said she and Russell tried to arrange the conference for The Highlands, but the block of rooms needed were not available there. Rooms at multiple hotels would have been needed, she added.

The commissioners will next meet for regular session at 6 p.m. on May 21.