Early voting starts slow, finishes strong heading into Election Day

Ben Conley, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
·2 min read

May 13—MORGANTOWN — About a third of the 6, 244 early votes cast in Monongalia County came on days nine (959) and 10 (1, 099) of the 10-day early voting period.

Despite the late rally, early vote totals ended up behind the pace of the most-recent non-COVID presidential primary elections.

Monongalia County Clerk Carye Blaney said vote totals were hampered by a sluggish start.

Only 334 voters showed up on opening day. Day two was only slightly better, with 371 ballots cast.

"We have had more voters turn out in past presidential primary elections, " Blaney said. "However, considering the slow pace during our first days of early voting, I am pleased we finished with over 6, 200 voters."

Just over 8, 200 Monongalia County residents voted early in 2012. In 2016, 7, 474 early voters made it to the polls.

All bets were off in 2020 due to COVID as some 12, 273 county voters took advantage of relaxed absentee guidelines to vote by mail. Only 3, 057 voted early that year.

With early voting in the books, Blaney's focus has turned to those heading to the polls today "Voters need to be reminded that on Election Day, they have to vote at their assigned voting location, " she said, explaining you can check your registration and find your polling location at GoVoteWV.com or by calling the clerk's office at 304-291-7230 starting at 6:30 a.m.

You must bring a form of identification to the polling place (driver's license, voter registration card, etc.) Digital IDs cannot be accepted, and no electronic devices are permitted inside the voting booth.

You are permitted to mark a sample ballot and carry it into the booth with you.

As this is a primary election, there are rules regarding what political party ballot a voter can vote on.

"If you are registered as one of the recognized political parties (Democrat, Mountain or Republican) you can only vote that party ballot. If you are registered No Party Affiliated, you can choose one of the three ballots, " Blaney explained. "If you are registered with a recognized party and want to vote the ballot of another recognized party, it will be a provisional ballot that will be judged by the Board of Canvassers after the election and will not be counted with the unofficial results on election night."

Polls will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

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