Tag: Elections

West Virginia Primary Turnout Less Than 20 Percent

  West Virginia’s secretary of state says voter turnout for this week’s election was 19.7 percent, a 4-percent drop from a similar 2010 midterm primary.

Unofficial results show 241,020 ballots were cast this election.

About 46,800 people voted early and absentee combined, which Secretary of State Natalie Tennant’s office called a midterm primary record. Still, turnout remained low.

Midterm primary turnout has been cut in half since 1994, when 39 percent voted.

Tennant’s office says there were minor issues, like incorrectly numbered precincts and inconvenient road construction. Logan and Hardy county precincts experienced power outages, but voting was uninterrupted after officials switched to battery backup.

A high profile U.S. Senate race featured primaries for Democrat Tennant and GOP Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito. Both advanced easily against little-known opponents.

Canvassing begins Monday.

34,000 Vote Early in West Virginia Primary

  About 34,000 West Virginians have voted early ahead of Tuesday’s primary.

The figure released by the Secretary of State’s office Friday reflects in-person and absentee ballots cast. The early voting period opened April 30 and ends Saturday.

The light turnout could reflect a relatively small number of contested races. The lone statewide race involves the U.S. Senate, where three candidates each are running in the Democratic and Republican primaries.

Seven candidates are seeking the Republican nomination in a bid to succeed 2nd District GOP Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, who is running for the Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Jay Rockefeller.

Fewer than half of the 67 House of Delegates districts and only four of 17 Senate seats up for election have contested races next week.

Mingo County Set for 'Most Important' Election

Mingo County voters head to the polls May 13 with a slate of positions up for grabs after a federal corruption investigation cost four office holders their jobs.
 
The county’s circuit judge, prosecutor, chief magistrate and a county commissioner resigned following their convictions over the past nine months. The Democratic primary also will choose a new sheriff one year after Eugene Crum was fatally shot.

Incumbent county commissioner Greg “Hootie” Smith says the primary gives voters the chance to remove a black cloud that’s been over Mingo County for the past year.
 
Circuit judge candidate Teresa McCune calls it “probably the most important” election in county history. 
 
No Republican candidates filed for the offices involving the convicted former officials, meaning the Democratic primary winners will run unopposed in November.
 

2014 Primary Election Candidates Certified

West Virginia’s May 13 primary slate is official and will have several contested races on the federal level.
 
Secretary of State Natalie Tennant certified the primary election’s candidates earlier this month.
 
U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall in the 3rd District is the lone incumbent in Congress facing a primary opponent.
 
Second District Rep. Shelley Moore Capito will face two other candidates in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Jay Rockefeller, while Tennant is running on the Democratic side and will have two opponents.
 
Seven Republicans and two Democrats are seeking Capito’s congressional seat. First District Republican Rep. David McKinley is running unopposed.
 
Half of the 34-member state Senate and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are up this year.
 

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