CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Twelve staff members from the office of Secretary of State Mac Warner fanned out across the state Tuesday to offer assistance to cities and towns were municipal elections were being held.
There were 92 separate elections in 45 counties. Secretary of State’s Office Director of Elections Brittany Westfall said the office’s dozen staffers were checking to see if they could help.
“We’re going in, talking to the poll workers, making sure everything is going okay and see if any guidance is needed. We are also available here in the office if there are any questions,” Westfall said.
Most of the questions have been focused on electioneering limits and names not found in a poll book, Westfall said.
“The people want to know if (candidates or supporters) are in that 100 foot zone what can be done. Another big thing is, ‘What happens if someone isn’t in the poll book?” The best answer for that is no one should be turned away from voting,” Westfall said.
After Tuesday’s results are in city and town councils will serve as canvassing boards. The results will then be certified.
Westfall said she expected some close races Tuesday.
“People often think that their vote doesn’t count but in these smaller races it especially counts because it can get down to one or two votes in these municipalities,” she said.
Most polls were scheduled to close at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.