photo by: Joselyn King

There were no lines to early vote on Friday afternoon at the City-County Building in Wheeling.

WHEELING — Six contested races for West Virginia House of Delegates are on this year’s election ballot in the Northern Panhandle, and they are among some of the most hotly contested races in this week’s election.

Saturday is the last day to cast early ballots throughout West Virginia. Early polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at local courthouses.

Early voter turnout has been high for the election. By noon on Friday early voting turnout had exceeded 5,100 in Ohio County, where there are just over 28,000 registered voters.

The actual Election Day is Tuesday, with voting beginning at 6:30 a.m. and concluding at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at regular voting precincts.

In addition to races for U.S. president and a number of statewide offices, local voters will be selecting those to represent them in Charleston and at the county and municipal level.

In the Delegate District 2 race, incumbent Delegate Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, faces a challenge from 23-year-old Democrat Olivia Dowler. Likewise, in District 3, incumbent Delegate Jimmy Willis, R-Brooke, sees a race with Democrat David Cantrell.

Ohio County sees two contested delegate races. District 4 voters will choose a delegate between Republican Bill Flanigan and Democrat Johnny Haught, while District 5 Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, has a race with Republican Thomas M. Salkovick.

In Marshall County, Delegate Jeff Stephens, R-Marshall – a West Virginia history teacher at Sherrard Middle School – has a contest with Democrat Cody Cumpston in District 6. In District 7, Delegate Charles R. Sheedy Jr., R-Marshall, is in a race with Democrat Devon Tennant.

Contested elections for local county and municipal offices break down the following ways:

Brooke County has two contested county-wide races. A contest for commissioner sees Republican A.J. Thomas in a contest with Democrat Darren Pizer, while candidates for sheriff are Republican Richard Beatty and Democrat Richard Ferguson.

Hancock County voters will see two county-wide issues on the ballot – one for Hancock County Schools and another for the Hancock County Sheltered Workshop.

A race for commissioner pits Republican J. Scott Gittings against Democrat Dezso Polgar.

Municipal contests are on the ballot for the city of Weirton, and voters affected live in both Hancock and Brooke County.

Candidates for Weirton mayor include Dean Harris, Harold E. Miller, Flora Perrone and George Village.

Those seeking a Ward 1 council seat are Jonathan Curenton, Timothy C. Connell and Rodney Lee Summers. In Ward 3, the candidates are Jesse Keeder, Joe DiBartolomeo and Ronnie D. Jones.

Ward 4 sees a council race between Rick Stead and Kyle Wilson; and those running in Ward 5 are George J. Charnie Jr., Jaime Halligan, Karen Harris and Brittany Holloway.

Candidates in Ward 6 are Enzo Fracasso, W. Fritz Frohnapfel, Anthony P. Rocchio and Bob Wyatt.

Ralph L. Cunningham is running unopposed in Ward 2; and Christopher Jonczak, in Ward 7.

What is expected to be one of the tightest races locally is the election of a Marshall County commissioner between Democratic incumbent Mike Ferro and Republican Dave McLaughlin.

Voters in Moundsville will see contests for city council on their ballot. Candidates in Ward 1 Dennis Hall, Judy Hunt and Larry Vucelick. In Ward 3, voters will choose between Coty Rogerson, Gene Saunders and Mandy Weese.

City residents also will elect two at-large council members from among David Burkle, Randy Chamberlain, Don DeWitt, Jennifer Hess Norris, Brittany Reilly, Eli D. Rogerson and Carole Blake Wood.

Voters in McMechen also will see a mass transit levy on their ballots.

Ohio County has just one contested county race on the ballot. Republican Harry (Nelson) Croft Jr., the current chief deputy, and Howard (John) Haglock, the current school security officer at Madison Elementary School, face off in a race for sheriff.

In Tyler County, there are no contested county races.

Wetzel County voters, meanwhile, will choose an assessor. Republican Tim Bassett is challenging Democratic incumbent Scott Lemley.