WHEELING – West Virginia voters go to the polls today for the 2024 primary election, and nearly 2,000 Ohio County residents already have cast their ballots.

Polls open at 6:30 a.m. across the state, and close at 7:30 p.m.

Early voting for the election concluded Saturday, with a record-setting 1,951 turning out in Ohio County, according to information provided by Ohio County Administrator Randy Russell.

The previous highest number for early voting in Ohio County was set in 2022, when 1,456 cast ballots, he added. The last presidential election in 2020 took place during the COVID era, and many voted an absentee ballot, resulting in early voting numbers being lower.

“I would love to believe early voting numbers are higher because people are becoming accustomed to voting at their convenience,” Russell said. “But the Wheeling mayor’s race has drawn a lot of interest, and a lot of people always come out for the presidential election.”

He expects there could be a large turnout in the county today.

“It feels like it – yes,” Russell said.

Ohio County has 27,360 registered voters

Other counties in the Northern Panhandle, meanwhile, indicated they had flat or lower than usual early voting numbers.

Marshall County reported 1,446 early voters; Brooke County, 725; Hancock County, 713; Wetzel County, 710; and Tyler County, 365.

Russell reminds people that they must bring identification with them to the polls – preferably a photo card such as a driver’s license, student identification card or a concealed carry permit.

Other acceptable identification include a voter registration card; a Medicare card or Social Security card; a birth certificate; a West Virginia issued hunting or fishing license; a state SNAP ID card; a state TANF program ID card; a state Medicaid ID card or a bank or debit card.

Also, no electioneering garments – clothing or caps promoting a specific candidate or political issue – may be worn to the polls, according to West Virginia law. Those who turn out to vote donning such items may be asked to remove them, or turn them inside out.

“Everyone should come out and vote,” Russell said. “It’s their right and their responsibility to choose people who will lead us – locally, at the state level and at the federal level.”