HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — U.S. District Judge Chuck Chambers ordered Cabell County Clerk Karen Cole Tuesday to accept online voter registrations from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.
Chambers ruled from the bench during a hearing in Huntington. Cole’s refusal was a violation of the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution, Chambers said. Cole had argued there was no constitutional requirement.
Cole has been sending letters to online applicants seeking information to complete the registration.
The legal challenge was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Early voting for the Nov. 8 General Election is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning in West Virginia.