WHEELING — Ohio County Republican leaders say they support reopening the GOP primary in time for the 2026 election, and they will vote to do so when the state party holds its winter meeting in Charleston Saturday.

For many years, those with no party affiliation in West Virginia could request a Republican ballot when they went to the polls on primary Election Day. Democrats later followed suit.

It was in early 2024 that delegates to the WVGOP winter meeting voted to close the Republican primary election to assure a more conservative voter base.

But the measure is expected to again be debated as 2026 elections approach.

“The thing should be open because we are disenfranchising voters,” said former Ohio County GOP Chairman Greg Smith. “We don’t want to lose those votes.

“What if they are Trump supporters and vote Republican? An Independent voter won’t get a ballot. We don’t want to disenfranchise them. Our position is to leave the primary open so Independents can vote.”

Smith, Robert Luchetti and Beth Hinebaugh are Ohio County residents who will have a vote on the executive committee Saturday.

Neither Smith nor Luchetti will be able to attend and Hinebaugh will carry their proxy to the meeting.

“My personal opinion is (opening the primary) is a good thing,” she said. “It needs to be open. It gives independents a way to vote as they choose to.”

Hinebaugh noted she did not support closing the primary when the vote came up in 2024.

“My understanding is discussion got pretty heated then on whether to close the primary,” she said. “I’m excited about going down to the meeting, and I hope to learn a lot of information to bring back to Ohio County.”

State Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, represents District 1 in the Senate, and will be up for re-election in 2026. She expects delegates voting on Saturday to be “split evenly.”

“Honestly, whatever the party decides I will accept,” she said on opening the primary. “I have a plan to deal with either decision, and I will leave that up to them.

“I always reach out to all voters and constituents. My messaging will be the same, and will work with whatever the party decides.”

Republican Joe Eddy has announced he will challenge Chapman in the primary. Filing for the 2026 election doesn’t begin until Monday.

“I support reversing the GOP’s closed primary rule decision. I don’t think we should have a closed primary,” he said. “I support restoring the open primary on principle and as coalition-building.

“Primaries are funded by all taxpayers. Every voter who leans our way, but chooses to remain unaffiliated, should have a voice in choosing the Republican ticket. The Republican party – and the state of West Virginia in general – works best when it is as inclusive as possible.”

Eddy noted that current voter registration numbers in West Virginia show Republicans at about 40%; Democrats at 30% and Independents at 25% “and growing.”

“Why would we alienate our best growth potential and closest allies?” he asked. “In a district and state where Independents are the fastest growing group, we should invite them into our primary instead of pushing them away.”