Early primary voting begins next week

Greg Larry, Cumberland Times-News, Md.
·2 min read

Apr. 27—CUMBERLAND — Early primary voting gets underway next week in Allegany County and Mineral County, West Virginia.

Voters can participate in early voting in Mineral County beginning May 1 through May 11, while Allegany County early voting runs from May 2 to May 9. Primary election day for both counties is May 14.

According to Diane Loibel, election administrator for Allegany County, early voters can drop their ballots off.

"We have a drop box at the front entrance to the county complex, 701 Kelly Road, that is available anytime," she said.

A second drop box is located at Mountain Ridge High School in Frostburg.

Voters in Allegany County were sent applications by mail to order an early voting ballot. However, voters may also vote in-person at the county office complex from May 2-9 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On May 14, all 28 polling places will be open for primary voting from from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Maryland is a closed primary state where voters select candidates only from the party they are registered with.

Loibel said election judges, a paid position, are still needed to work election day. For more information, call 301-777-5931.

In Mineral County, early voting will take place at the courthouse in Keyser. Voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

According to Lauren Ellifritz, Mineral County clerk, voters should proceed to the back of courthouse where signs will be posted to direct voters.

"There will be parking spaces reserved in the rear of the courthouse for early voting," said Ellifritz.

Mineral County does not have a early voting ballot distribution and drop-off system. However, voters unable to be present can request an absentee ballot at the courthouse or online.

Mineral County is a partially-closed election system, which requires voting for candidates in their registered party but does permit voting for unaffiliated, or non-partisan, voters.

On election day, polls will be open at Mineral County's 24 precincts from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call 304-788-3924.

Greg Larry is a reporter at the Cumberland Times-News. To reach him, call 304-639-4951, email glarry@times-news.com and follow him on Twitter @GregLarryCTN.