CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Polls open Friday across West Virginia for early voting ahead of the Oct. 7 Special Election on the Roads to Prosperity Amendment.
If approved, it would clear the way for the Mountain State to borrow $1.6 billion for road projects.
“The time is upon us to start getting involved in the process,” said Secretary of State Mac Warner.
After Friday, early voting runs through Oct. 4.
Weekday hours for early voting follow regular local courthouse hours, according to Warner.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on two Saturdays during the early voting period: Sept. 23 and Sept. 30.
Most West Virginians will be voting on paper ballots.
“What the Governor has agreed to compensate, reimburse the counties for, is a paper ballot election,” Warner said on Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
“The paper ballots are typically less expensive to run, but if a county wants to use their machines they can, they would just incur those extra costs.”
Voter turnout in West Virginia for single-issue elections like this one usually comes in at between a low 10 percent and 15 percent.
“Typically, these special elections do not garner a lot of attention and a lot of participation,” said Warner.
On Election Day, polls will be open statewide from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
MetroNews will provide results of the Oct. 7 Special Election at wvmetronews.com.