CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice, who is not shy about big talk, says today is a big day.
“I truly believe it’s the biggest election in the history of this state. Ever,” Justice told reporters at a news conference Friday at the Capitol.
Justice has criss-crossed the state, trying to drum up support for the $1.6 billion road bond referendum.
So today West Virginians will find out if the bond passes or fails. West Virginia MetroNews will have updates at this site throughout the evening.
West Virginia voters go to the polls Saturday to approve or reject the road bond amendment. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
There will be 1,851 precincts open across the state, but some polling locations may have consolidated. Voters may check with their local county clerk’s office or visit GoVoteWV.com to check registration and find their polling place.
Early voting ended Wednesday with 37,534 (unofficial) early votes and absentees ballots cast. That number represents about 3.2 percent of all registered voters.
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Much of the governor’s message the past couple of weeks has had to do with getting out the vote.
“If you don’t really get busy, it could fail,” he told a crowd this past week in Hurricane. “Now I think it’s going to pass overwhelmingly. I really do, if we get the vote out. Ten to 12 percent turnout is so low that the naysayers could rule the day. Then what’s going to happen? Tell me what’s going to happen.”
In Moorefield, the governor similarly urged a get-out-the vote effort.
“If you don’t vote, we lose,” he told his audience there. “Turnout’s going to be low anyway, and without any question — better listen to me on this — the single biggest vote in the history of this state.
“If you stay home and you don’t vote in the biggest election in the history of this state — in the history of this blooming state — don’t stay home. Go vote. Make your kids go. For crying out loud, you don’t want to miss the biggest of all time.”
Justice sent out an email this Thursday to thousands of state employees, urging them to vote.
“The Office of the Governor encourages all West Virginia State employees, who are registered, to vote in this important election. The road bond constitutional amendment is an important question that requires the input of all West Virginians. We are asking you to make your voices heard and vote on Saturday, October 7th.”
Similar messages were sent out by other large institutions. For instance, West Virginia University sent out a note about the bond to faculty, students and staff — not telling them how to vote, but encouraging them to participate in the election.
Secretary of State Mac Warner also issued a statement encouraging voter turnout.
“We encourage the people to use the power of the ballot box and let their voices be heard,” Warner said. “This is a significant issue and there are two sides to it. We need to hear from the people.”
The Secretary of State’s website will offer a new Election Night Reporting system. Unofficial results overall and by county will be available in real-time for the public and media after the polls close Saturday evening.
Meanwhile, Warner plans to lead a staff of 10 visiting every county in the state on Election Day. They will make visits to the county courthouse and to random voting precincts in each county. Every county will receive a visit but not every precinct.
Justice said his Saturday will begin with voting in his Greenbrier County precinct. He said he’ll end the day by making a statement, win or lose, at the Capitol after results come in.
In between, as he waits out the big day, his plan was flexible.
“Then I’ll probably — I don’t know if I’ll do any good bow hunting in the middle of the day — but I may go do that,” Justice said.