Photo by Joselyn King Dolph Santorine, left a Republican candidate in the House of Delegates District 4 race, shares a moment with Erin Allietta, election coordinator in Ohio County, on the first day of early voting in West Virginia on Wednesday.

WHEELING – The first people to vote in the 2026 election in Ohio County on Wednesday were three candidates and a family member.

Early voting season started Wednesday across West Virginia and continues through May 9. Early polls will be open during regular business hours on weekdays during that time, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 2, and Saturday, May 9. Voting does not take place on Sundays in West Virginia.

Primary Election Day in West Virginia is May 12.

On the first day of early voting, people didn’t exactly run to the polls, local counties report.

Ohio County poll workers reported 87 ballots cast on Wednesday.

By late afternoon there also were 87 ballots cast in Marshall County, 50 in Brooke; 30 in Wetzel and 24 in Tyler. A vote count from Hancock County was not available.

Election officials explained these numbers were on par or below what they expected on the first, though they acknowledged rain may have kept some people away.

First in line to vote in Ohio County was Wheeling attorney Matt Chapman, who held a spot for his wife, State Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio. Sen. Chapman is seeking re-election this year and faces a GOP primary opponent in Joe Eddy in the race for the District 1 seat in the West Virginia Senate.

Next in line was entrepreneur Dolph Santorine, a Republican candidate in the House of Delegates District 4 facing Derek Ennis in the GOP primary.

Behind him was Beth Hinebaugh, who is seeking the District 5 House of Delegates seat. She is unopposed in the GOP primary.

The Chapmans also brought along their two children, both students at St. Michael Parish School, to get a view of the democratic process.

“People’s voices being heard is an important thing,” Jackson Chapman, 10, said. “Secondly, for me, coming along is just a good luck thing (for Mom).”

Eloise Chapman, 8, said she was interested in the election, “but I don’t know how to vote.”

She brought along the book “Escape From Alcatraz” to read as she sat waiting in the hallway.

“This is the first time they are both old enough to be a part of the process,” Sen. Chapman said. “We thought it was important for them to see in person the full gravity of being able to vote.

“They are only missing a few minutes of school to get what is a real world civics lesson.”

Matt Chapman added that “voting is the most important thing to do as citizens.”

“I’m proud to do that with my children today,” he said.

Santorine wanted to vote early on Wednesday to avoid “any distractions” that could happen later. He noted he has voted in every election in which he has been able.

“Voting is the ultimate privilege afforded by democracy,” he said.

Hinebaugh agreed people should come vote and make their voices heard.

“And it’s important for us as candidates to set an example, and encourage others to vote,” she said. “If you can’t come vote on Election Day, come early vote and make sure your voice is heard.”