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WHEELING - Primary Midterm Election Day is approaching in West Virginia, and it will be the first one in the modern era where Republicans in the state outnumber Democrats.
The deadline to register to vote for the upcoming election is Tuesday, April 19. Any action to register to vote, transfer registration to another address, or change political affiliation or name on registration must be done by that time.
As of March 31, there were 1,132,280 registered voters across West Virginia, according to figures provided by the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office. Republicans now are the majority and number 438,182 statewide, while there are 386,250 registered Democrats. Those with no party registration number 259,167.
Registration totals from just four years ago in the state told a different story. In June 2018, there were 1,231,798 registered voters in West Virginia. Among them were 523,734 Democrats, 395,093 Republicans, and 270,226 without party affiliation.
By February 2021, Republicans became the majority in West Virginia.
Ohio, Marshall and Hancock counties now have more voters registered as Republicans as Election Day approaches, and Tyler County also retains a GOP majority.
Brooke and Wetzel counties, meanwhile, continue to boast more Democratic voters.
- Ohio County is listed as having 26,644 registered voters as of March 31. Among these are 9,989 Republicans, 9,540 Democrats and 5,361 with no party affiliation.
On June 1, 2018, there were 28,659 registered voters in the county. Democrats totaled 11,649, Republicans, 9,409; and non-affiliated, 1,866.
- Total voters in Marshall County were listed at 19,543 at the end of March. In the county, there are 7,582 Republicans, 6,793 Democrats and 4,441 without political affiliation.
Less than four years ago, Marshall County boasted 8,980 Democrats; 6,625 Republicans; and 4,679 with no party.
- Hancock County now has 18,477 registered voters, as of March 31. There are 7,288 Republicans there; 6,773 Democrats; and 2,996 registering without party designation.
This compares to June 2018, when the county had 23,276 registered to vote - including 11,211 Democrats; 6,959 Republicans and 4,634 registering with no party.
- Tyler County presently reports 5,467 registered voters, with Republicans continuing to have the historical majority with 2,947. But non-affiliated registered voters - there are 1,223 of them in Tyler County - outnumber Democrats at 1,139.
The June 2018 numbers show Tyler County with 6,418 total voters. Among them were 3,051 Republicans; 1,768 Democrats and 1,465 without affiliation.
- In Brooke County, Democrats continue to outnumber Republicans. There are 14,461 registered voters in the county, including 5,869 Democrats, 4,963 Republicans and 2,507 with no affiliation.
The 2018 figures report 18,355 registered voters in Brooke County, including 9,391 Democrats; 4,705 Republicans; and 3,725 not designating a party.
- Wetzel County has 9,615 registered voters. Among them are 4,091 Democrats; 3,221 Republicans and 1,564 with no party.
There were 11,745 in the county in June 2018. Numbers show 6,321 Democrats; 2,873 Republicans; and 635 without affiliation.
West Virginia residents not presently registered to vote must do so soon if they want to cast a ballot in the May 10 primary election. Voters wanting to change party affiliation must do so by the close of registration in order to participate in that party's primary election on May 10.
Voter registration can be done at local courthouses, or through a designated agency or motor vehicle licensing office.
If the registration were submitted through a registration outreach program, it must be received by county election officials no later than the close of the business day on April 19. Voter registrations submitted online also must be received by that time.
Voters registering as having no party are permitted to request either a Democrat or Republican ballot when they go to the polls.