CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The first ballots for the November General Election in West Virginia have been cast.
Residents took to the polls on Wednesday morning as the 10-day early voting period started. Early voting continues through October 31. The West Virginia Secretary of State’s website lists the early voting locations in all 55 counties.
In downtown Charleston, the Kanawha County Voter Registration office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the two Saturdays included in early voting have 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours.
Elsewhere in Kanawha County, satellite early voting locations include the sheriff’s office in Cross Lanes, the West Sattes Community Center in Nitro, Belle Town Hall, Elkview Community Center, Girl Scout headquarters on Virginia Street West in Charleston, Marmet Town Hall, St. Albans City Hall, the Sissonville Library, and the South Charleston Community Center.
Several voters spoke with MetroNews in downtown Charleston about why they voted early.
Some said it’s to ensure their vote counts.
“It’s a very important process,” resident Terry Lucas said. “I like to do it early, as opposed to waiting until Election Day. I would urge everybody to take part in it.”
Others said casting ballots during the 10-day early voting period is their routine.
“I’ve been early voting since way back when,” resident Josiah Lilly said. “My vote can be counted earlier, and that’s important to me.”
“Just so I get it over with, and you never know about bad weather,” resident James Calvert added. “I was in the neighborhood.”
House Bill 3016 requires voters to present a photo ID in order to cast a ballot. Voters unable to comply with the law can file an affidavit at the polling location and cast a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot is counted once election officials can verify the identity. That requirement was added for the first time in West Virginia in May.
“It never did impact me, so I have no objection to photo ID,” Lilly said.
“I think it’s much needed,” Lucas said. “I’m in full support of it.”
There are several priorities that voters want to see addressed.
Calvert said he doesn’t want data centers. He expressed concern about a potential “conflict of interest” between House Speaker Roger Hanshaw and data center developers. He worried about the environmental impact of those developments.
“I work for DEP and just the strain on our water systems and the noise levels,” Calvert said.
Lilly highlighted the work of education workers.
“My main concern was the school levy,” Lilly said. “I really think our schoolteachers are well cared for, but I think that, somehow or another, the legislature seems to lag behind, and we’re doing great work with education, especially special education. Please don’t forget about the schoolteachers.”
Election Day is set for November 3.