WHEELING — The numbers still weren’t very high for a midterm primary election, but turnout in five of the six Northern Panhandle counties exceeded the overall turnout average in West Virginia.

Statewide there was a turnout rate of 20.91%, with 250,755 of 1,198,933 registered voters casting ballots.

Topping the list locally was Tyler County at 34%, followed by Wetzel at 25.50%, Hancock at 23.69%, Marshall at 23.34% and Ohio at 22.57%. Brooke County’s turnout was lower at 17.38%.

All local counties now have a higher number of registered Republicans than Democrats, but in two counties Democratic ballots cast outnumbered those cast by Republicans.

In Ohio County, 2,910 Democrats voted, along with 2,743 Republicans and 476 nonparty voters.

Likewise, in Wetzel County, 1,110 Democrats cast ballots along with 1,087 Republicans and 330 nonparty voters.

State Democratic leaders were quick to point out that in many counties Democratic turnout exceeded that of past midterm primary elections.

“While overall primary turnout was down slightly from 2022, Democratic turnout increased strongly across West Virginia,” said Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva, also first vice chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party. “That contrast matters.”

“It shows Democratic voters are energized and engaged, while more voters are responding to candidates focused on affordability, public education, health care, infrastructure and protecting our democracy. The momentum we saw Tuesday night is real.”

Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, also chairman of the state party, agreed that while Democratic numbers were higher, overall turnout was lower in the election.

“The Republican turnout brings it down. They are disappointed in how things are going,” he said. “They closed their primary to shut out voters. That is the only reason they would close it. And a lot of voters requested Democratic ballots.”

Pushkin noted that in nonpartisan races for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and State Intermediate Court of Appeals, candidates largely supported by Democrats “won overwhelmingly.”

He added that justice-elect and current Delegate Bill Flanigan, R-Ohio, has attributed his victory to Democratic turnout.

Bob Luchetti, chairman of the Ohio County Republican Party, said he was glad to see voters and candidates participating in the political process.

“We had some pretty interesting contests,” he said. “The county stands behind the people who won, and we will do everything we can to support them in the race in November.

“I have a lot of appreciation for those who prevailed and those who participated.”

He is not certain whether the West Virginia Republican Party’s decision to close its primary affected turnout, but he was not in favor of the move.

“There are two points of view on the matter. Having watched the discussion at the state meeting, there are valid points of view on both sides of the issue,” Luchetti said. “I know a lot of people are upset with the decision to close the primary.

“Our committee never had a specific position on that. As a 1st District representative to the state committee, I voted against it. I was in favor of leaving it open.”

State Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, won the GOP nomination for re-election on Tuesday.

“I haven’t compared the numbers from previous years, but I always want more people to turn out,” she said. “We are their representatives, and it is important that more people turn out.

“We have to look at this year as an off-year election, but I don’t see why there should be any more or less turnout. Everything that happens in Washington and Charleston affects people in West Virginia. It matters to everyone whether they vote or not.”

Among the other counties, Brooke County saw 1,248 Republicans cast ballots in the primary election, with 1,187 Democrats and 199 nonparty voters also voting.

In Hancock County, 2,430 Republicans voted, along with 1,653 Democrats and 343 nonparty voters.

There were 2,283 Republicans who voted in Marshall County, along with 2,025 Democrats and 328 unaffiliated voters.

Tyler County saw 1,367 Republicans cast ballots. Just 301 Democrats voted, along with 245 nonparty voters.