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Local Counties Ready For Election Day

By JOSELYN KING 3 min read

Today is Election Day across the nation and local election officials say they are prepared.

Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. in both West Virginia and Ohio.

On Monday, election workers spent the day delivering and setting up voting machines at polling locations. Many are at schools, and these had to be done in the evening. There are also costs associated with renting those spaces, paying poll workers and others assisting in setting up, taking down and making the elections go smoothly.

In Ohio, there are races for U.S. Senate and U.S. House, as well as contests for state offices. Among those on the ballot are races for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor and supreme court.

In the 96th Ohio House District, incumbent Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Jefferson, sees a challenge from Democrat Charrie L. Foglio.

Belmont County residents will elect a new commissioner from between Democrat Franklin Shaffer Jr. and Republican Dominic DeFelice.

"Everything is going well," said Eberle Ferrell, director of elections in Belmont County. "We're doing the last-minute set up."

She noted "if all goes well" there will be four poll workers at each of the 69 precincts in the county for a total of 276. There are two Republican and two Democratic poll workers at each location.

Poll workers are paid $133 for their efforts on Election Day in Belmont County, and this rate is set by the Ohio Secretary of State's Office, Ferrell explained. Rates in West Virginia are set by each individual county.

Erin Allietta, coordinator of elections in Ohio County in West Virginia, reported 230 people will be involved with the election, including 175 poll workers.

"We pay for the buildings, the poll workers - they get paid $300 each," she said. "At 175 poll workers, that comes to $52,500.

"The cost for an election - is costly."

West Virginia races include contests for U.S. Senate and U.S. House, as well as races for State Senate and the House of Delegates and some county offices. There is also a constitutional amendment on the ballot establishing citizenship requirements to vote in West Virginia elections.

Ohio County voters see a race for the 1st District State Senate Seat between incumbent Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, and current Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio.

Two new delegates also will be selected to represent Ohio County neighborhoods in Charleston. In District 4, Democrat Joe Jividen sees a race with Republican Derek Ennis. In District 5, the candidates are Republican Beth Hinebaugh and Democrat Karen Shuler Stakem.

"People need to get out and vote tomorrow," Allietta said. "These are important contests even though it's a small ballot. There are important decisions to make."

Marshall County Clerk Connie Howard said she had workers out on Monday afternoon getting ready to set up machines at schools once students went home for the day.

In total, 272 poll workers are being paid $300 to work in Marshall County on Election Day.

Marshall County sees a race for the State Senate District 2 seat between Republican Toby Heaney and Democrat Chris Claypole.

House of Delegates contests include a race between Republican Don DeWitt and Cody Cumpston in District 6, and between incumbent Delegate Charles R. Sheedy Sr., R-Marshall, and Democrat Sarah Reggi in District 7.

There is a contested race for county commissioner on the ballot between Democrat Leigh Ann Scherich and Republican Jim Kudlak, while Marshall County Schools is putting an excess levy before voters.

"Get out and vote," Howard said. "Continue the trend, which is leaning toward an unprecedented turnout for an off-year election. There is expected to be great weather, so get out and vote."

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