BUCKHANNON — As National Voter Registration Month winds down, county and state officials are urging voters to be prepared for November’s General Election.
“We always use the month of September to remind folks that you should always check your voter registration and make sure you keep it updated,” said Mike Queen, director of communications and Deputy Chief of State for Secretary of State Mac Warner. Queen noted the SOS’s website offers several online tools for voters to check that their voter registration is up to date. One of those tools can be found at the newly launched, govotewv.com website, where voters have access to voter records, can register to vote – and even view sample ballots.
“There’s just a number of online tools that we now provide voters for the very first time, and it’s been a priority of Secretary Warner’s office to make it as easy as we can to get the information that voters need to be informed voters and make sure that they’re registered to vote,” he said. “We’re very pleased and proud of the new website.”
Click here to check your voter registration or find your polling place.
Upshur County clerk Carol Smith is especially encouraging voters who have relocated and are unsure if their address has been updated with the county – as well as voters who haven’t cast a ballot in several years – to check their registration. The last day to register to vote or update voter records is Oct. 16.
Aside from the SOS office’s website, Smith said county residents can check voter status, address and precinct information by calling the county clerk’s office at 304-472-1068.
With the Nov. 6 General Election just a little over a month away, Smith predicts to see voter turnout at roughly 55 percent.
“Looking at the history from the last couple General Elections, I would estimate voter turnout at around 55 percent, which would be around 7,350 voters,” she said.
Early voting begins on Wednesday, Oct. 24 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 3. Early voting is conducted from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. As set by West Virginia State Code, Saturday early voting is from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
