MORGANTOWN , W.Va. — Both major political parties in Monongalia County plan to be active in the run-up to the May 12 Primary Election.
Monongalia County Republican Executive Committee Chairman Dale Sparks said committee members will be out talking to members of the public and answering questions. He said they’ll be informing voters about all voting options—early and on May 12, election day.
“We’re going to be out there talking about our ideas and concerns,” Sparks said. “Letting the voters know we want you to get out and vote early- early voting starts April 29 and runs through May 9.”
The Monongalia County Democratic Party will also be talking to voters and making sure those registered to cast a ballot know the Republican primary is closed for the first time since 1986. The state GOP Executive Committee voted to exclude the GOP primary polls to only registered members of the Republican party.
“We are going to be going door-to-door talking with Democrats and Independents leading through early voting to encourage them to get out and vote,” Democratic Party Chairman Cal Carlson said.
Republicans from Monongalia County and a few others opposed the move at the annual meeting, but their effort failed due to a procedural technicality. Sparks said party leaders determined two members of the Resolution Committee were appointed from the wrong district and were ineligible. The procedural move prevented county party organizations from bringing the closed primary issue to the floor for a full debate.
Sparks believes the GOP statewide will receive fewer votes because of it.
“There are nine counties in the state of West Virginia that have at least 10,000 or more unaffiliated or independent voters, and we happen to be one of them,” Sparks said. “And it’s an important issue for our county.”
Among the many mailers residents will receive this year will be a postcard from the Monongalia County Democrat Party. Carlson said they included Independents in their mailing hoping to win over those voters.
“People should be receiving post cards in the mail encouraging them to get out and vote,” Carlson said. “We’ve sent some to independent voters as well, encouraging them to select a Democratic ballot.”
Carlson said they would welcome any volunteers that would like to help them get the word out between now and the primary/judicial election and even in the run-up to the general election in November.
“We’re always looking for volunteers to help us, whether you could do your own block or if you’re interested in doing a deeper dive into canvassing,” Carlson said. “We welcome anybody who is willing to give any time they have.”
Sparks hopes to get as many registered voters out to cast a ballot during the early period between April 29 and May 9.
“We really encourage everyone to get out and vote early,” Sparks said. “Don’t wait until the last day because you never know what might happen on election day, and then you might not be able to vote.”