A new rule will close the Republican ballot for primary elections, meaning only those registered as Republicans will be able to vote in those races this spring.
Upshur County Clerk Carol Smith said the Republican Executive Committee voted to close its ballot in January 2024, and it is scheduled to take effect in 2026.
“It’s my understanding that in this legislative session, the legislature wanted to make a rule to have all party ballots closed. To my knowledge, that did not go anywhere,” Smith said. “It’s just the Republican ballots that are closed, and basically that means only persons who are actually registered as a Republican can receive a Republican ballot.”
As things stand now, there are three primary ballots — Republican, Democrat and nonpartisan. Anyone registered as a Republican or Democrat will receive their party’s primary ballot. Other parties, such as the Libertarian and Mountain parties, do not currently have their own ballots and instead receive the nonpartisan ballot.
“With that being said, if there was a Libertarian ballot, they would vote the Libertarian ballot. If there was a Mountain ballot, they would vote a Mountain ballot,” Smith said. “Then persons registered with any other party — nonpartisan, independent, unaffiliated, whatever you want to call them — can request the Democrat ballot, or if they don’t request the Democrat ballot, they’ll receive the nonpartisan ballot.”
Smith said voters can change their party affiliation until April 21.
“People may be used to requesting a Republican ballot, so anyone who wishes to vote a Republican ballot will need to come in before April 21 and change their party affiliation or register to vote,” she said.
Anyone interested in registering to vote or changing their party affiliation can go to the Upshur County Clerk’s Office at the courthouse or visit the Secretary of State’s website.
“Early voting will start April 29, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Then on Saturday, May 2, and Saturday, May 9, we are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Smith said. “Election Day is May 12. Absentee ballot applications are being accepted right now, and absentee ballots will actually be mailed starting March 27. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is May 6.”
Smith said sample ballots are not available yet, but should arrive sometime next week. They will be viewable on the Office of the County Clerk website.
