County clerks hope for smooth Election day, remind residents of campaigning poll rules
BY BEN CONLEY AND KATHY PLUM
Newsroom@DominionPost.com
Monongalia County set a new early voting mark with 20,907 early votes cast over the 10-day period that ended Oct. 31.
That number bests the previous high of 20,735 cast ahead of the last presidential election, in 2016.
Add to that tally more than 9,500 absentee ballots already in the hands of Monongalia County Clerk Carye Blaney.
Blaney said a total of 10,599 absentee ballots were sent out, likely leaving about 1,000 ballots that could potentially come in after Nov. 3, as long as they’re postmarked no later than Election Day and received before canvassing is concluded. Canvassing will begin Nov. 9 and is typically concluded that day.
“That’s really good that we’ve gotten almost a 90% rate of return on absentee ballots,” Blaney said Monday. “That’s probably the highest of a lot of jurisdictions.”
Given both the high absentee and early voting participation, Blaney said she’ll be surprised if polling locations get overwhelmed today.
“I think that we’re going to have a steady turnout tomorrow. I think that will depend a lot on the weather tomorrow, but I’d look for it to be steady. I don’t expect an overwhelming number,” she said. “I think we may get 10,000 or 12,000 voters to come out tomorrow. I hope we get a lot more, but I’m just expecting it to be steady.”
There is a sample ballot and a list of polling locations published in today’s edition of The Dominion Post. Unlike early voting, Election Day ballots must be cast at the polling precinct based on the voter’s address.
Blaney said her office will be staffed starting at 5:30 a.m. this morning to answer voter questions. That number is 304-291-7230.
“I would also like to thank the voters in advance for wearing a face mask when they come out to vote in person and remind everyone that there is no campaigning or electioneering within 100 feet of a polling location or inside a polling location,” she said.
As results roll in, Election HQ will be open and observing COVID-19 protocols at the Mountaineer Mall. You can also tune in from home via a livestream on the Monongalia County Commission YouTube channel.
Lastly, you can follow results at monongaliacoun tyclerk.com — absentee and early votes will likely go up shortly after polls close at 7:30 p.m.
Preston County
KINGWOOD — At least 32% of Preston County voters cast their ballots before the polls opened today.
Polls will be open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. today for Preston County’s 20,209 registered voters.
But 4,650 chose to early vote, and 1,882 absentee ballots have been returned, Preston County Clark Linda Huggins said Monday.
In comparison, a total of 46.73% of Preston’s then 19,466 registered voters voted in the primary, combining early, absentee and Election Day votes.
Huggins and the seasoned election workers in her office are predicting a 60 to 70% voter turnout total in Preston County.
In the 1996 general election, there was a record 71% turnout.
An additional 160 absentee votes had not been returned as of Monday. Absentee votes must be postmarked by today or earlier and be received by Nov. 9, when the canvass of votes begins, in order to be counted.
“By a long ways, it’s a record,” early turnout, Huggins said. “We’re just like in awe.”
The first day of early voting, the line stretched down the sidewalk from the early voting location at the Corner Mall of the Kingwood Plaza to Tractor Supply. And on Saturday, the final day to early vote, 530 people cast their ballots in Preston County.
There were no problems with voting equipment, Huggins said, but a few voters took umbrage at being asked to remove campaign materials, such as hats, while at the polls.
West Virginia law bans electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place or in the polling place.
Electioneering is defined in code as “the displaying of signs or other campaign paraphernalia, the distribution of campaign literature, cards or handbills, the soliciting of signatures to any petition, or the solicitation of votes for or against any bona fide candidate or ballot question in a manner which expressly advocates the election or defeat of the candidate or expressly advocates the passage or defeat of the ballot question.”
Huggins hopes for a smooth day today.
“We’re hoping that the equipment is fine, and that the voters are cooperative and don’t wear their campaign shirts and masks, because they get very nasty when you ask them to remove them, screaming that you’re violating their freedom of speech. It’s not everyone, but it’s the nasty ones you remember.”
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