West Virginia Early Voting Starts Wednesday
Joselyn King Trending
WHEELING - "No excuses" early voting starts this week across West Virginia, and Mountain State voters will have 10 days to cast their ballots prior to the Nov. 5 general election.
Early voting begins Wednesday morning at local courthouses. Polls will be open Monday through Friday and on Saturdays through Nov. 2. Voting will not take place on Sundays.
"It's a better opportunity for people to get out and vote rather than wait for Election Day and maybe have to stand in line," said Erin Witchy, coordinator of elections in Ohio County. "This is an incredibly charged election. If you do want your voice to be heard, you have to vote."
Polls will be open in each county during the following times on weekdays:
- 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.
- Ohio County - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tyler County - Courthouse is open 8-4 p.m.
- Wetzel County - 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Voting hours will be extended until 6 p.m. on Thursdays.
On Saturdays, early voting in all counties is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Voters must bring identification with them to the polls, with the most common forms being a voter registration card or a driver's license.
According to the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office, other acceptable forms of identification include a Medicare card or Social Security card, a birth certificate, a West Virginia hunting or fishing license; a state SNAP ID card; a state TANF program ID card; a state Medicaid ID card; a bank or debit card; a utility bill or bank statement issued within six months of the date of the election; a health insurance card issued to the voter; any government issued by the state or federal government containing the voter's name.
Additional photo identification accepted include a driver’s license issued by another state; a student ID card or a concealed carry (pistol/revolver) permit.
Voters coming to the polls should not wear electioneering buttons, campaign shirts or anything that could be construed as persuading someone to vote one way or another, Witchey explained.
Also, no cellphones are permitted to be used while at the polls.
"You can take in handwritten notes," she said. "If you want to bring in notes, they have to be on paper."