West Virginia voters began casting their ballot in the 2016 primary election on Apr. 27. The ten-day early voting period ends May 7.
The early voting period includes two Saturdays – Apr. 30 and May 7 – from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voters can cast their ballot during regular business hours at their county courthouse, courthouse annex or at a community voting location designated by the county. Contact information for all 55 county clerks can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.
“From president to the county board of education, every office except for U.S. Senate is up for grabs and I encourage folks to be patient when they vote in this primary election. Early voting provides a perfect opportunity to take your time and work voting into busy schedules,” Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant said.
Voters who are not registered with any political party in West Virginia – often called “No Party” or “unaffiliated” – may choose to vote in any party’s primary or a nonpartisan ballot only. To receive a Democrat, Republican or Mountain party ballot (in counties where available), unaffiliated voters must specifically ask for that ballot. If not, they will receive a nonpartisan ballot, which includes races such as judges, Board of Education, Conservation Supervisor and any county levies.
Voters should also be aware that judges in West Virginia are nonpartisan candidates now and will be at the end of the partisan ballot.