CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Voters all across the state cast their early ballots Wednesday, the first day to do so leading up the November general election.
Stephanie Abramowitz of Charleston was in line at Kanawha County voter registration before the doors opened at 8 a.m. She said she feels strongly about the candidates in this election.
“I’m ready to change some of the leadership in West Virginia and the federal government,” she said. “I’m very, very excited to vote!”
So was Carolyn Stricklen of Dunbar.
“I wanted to make a statement that this election is important. I felt like being out here early, get it over with and make that statement,” she said.
One of the most high-profile races here in West Virginia is for U.S. Senate. Supporters of Republican Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito boarded her campaign bus around 7:30 a.m. and rode to voter registration in Kanawha County to cast their ballots.
Capito was pleased to see people lined up outside waiting their turn to vote.
“I think it just shows the intensity and enthusiasm that many people have for this election,” Capito said.
A couple hours later, supporters of Democrat Secretary of State Natalie Tennant gathered outside the Charleston Town Center Mall to march the two blocks together to voter registration.
“This is where West Virginians have the opportunity to decide their future, what they want in a U.S. Senator and they do it at the ballot box with their vote,” said Tennant.
Early voting runs through Nov. 1, with the exception of Sunday, Oct. 26. Counties are offering extended hours to allow as many people as possible to early vote. For times and places, contact your county clerk’s office for details.
Election day polls open Nov. 4 at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. MetroNews will have full election night coverage starting at 7 p.m.