MORGANTOWN – With a big final day turnout, Monongalia County ended up with 4,609 ballots cast during early voting ahead of today’s primary election, surpassing early voting turnout totals in the last two midterm primaries.
The 958 ballots turned in Saturday represents just under 21% of the total turnout for the 10-day period between April 29 – May 9. More than a third of the county’s early votes were cast on the final two days.
All told, the 4,609 voters who participated in early voting represent 6.99% of the county’s 67,356 registered voters.
Monongalia County saw 4,427 early votes cast in the 2022 midterm primary, and 4,343 cast during early voting in 2018.
According to Secretary of State Kris Warner, early voting turnout statewide was 67,356, which represents an 8% jump from 2022 (62,283).
“That tells me that West Virginia voters have high confidence in our election process,” Warner said in a press release issued by his office. “Even with the high volume of campaign materials we saw this cycle, voters still want to participate in electing state, county and local leaders.”
As with Monongalia County, Warner’s office said county clerks across West Virginia reported a substantial increase in voter activity on the final two days of early voting.
Given the higher turnout, Warner said changes requiring photo identification did not have a negative impact on early voting, and he is optimistic that will remain the same for Election Day.
This primary election is the first West Virginia election in 25 years where only registered Republicans can vote a Republican Party ballot, following the WV Republican State Executive Committee’s 2025 vote to close their primary election.
Unaffiliated voters may choose between a nonpartisan or Democrat Party ballot.
“The closed Republican primary does not appear to have had a negative impact on early voter turnout,” Warner said. “We expect that will be the case with voter turnout on Election Day.”
For those going to the polls today, voters must appear at their assigned precinct between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. with an approved form of photo identification. All forms of ID must be valid and not expired.
If you’re unsure about your precinct or district, you can enter your address in the 2026 Monongalia County District/Precinct Map, which can be found by clicking the “2026 Primary Election Information” link at monongaliacountyclerk.com
Monongalia County early voting turnout by date:
4/29 – 234
4/30 – 278
5/1 – 344
5/2 – 404
5/4 – 382
5/5 – 401
5/6 – 441
5/7 – 508
5/8 – 659
5/9 – 958
Total – 4,609
.
Monongalia County registered voters as of April 21:
Democrat – 22,630
Republican – 22,560
No party affiliation – 19,024
Libertarian – 771
Other – 745
Mountain – 184
Constitution – 10
Total – 65,924
