Hancock Commission approves election agreement with Weirton

NEW CUMBERLAND -- Hancock County commissioners have given their approval to a memorandum of understanding outlining future operations of Weirton's municipal elections.

Through a charter change approved by Weirton voters in 2019, the city's election schedule was realigned to run concurrently with the state and national general election. As a result, city officials have been working with those in both Hancock and Brooke counties to design plans whereas the two counties would handle the majority of administering the city's election.

Weirton City Manager Mike Adams, who was in attendance at Thursday's commission meeting, along with City Clerk Kim Long, explained much of the agreement was crafted through the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office. More localized details were crafted by city and county officials.

"The memorandum of understanding follows a form the Secretary of State provided to us," Adams said. "This is the final form. I'm not sure there's much else we can do."

Over the last year, through the approval of Weirton Council, the city realigned its precinct and ward boundaries to match up with those of the two counties.

Under the MOU, a formula, based on the populations of the city and counties, will be used to determine a cost-sharing for the elections, with the city reimbursing the counties for its share no later than 60 days after each election.

Counties will select poll workers, election commissioners and other temporary election workers, as well as prepare the ballots and oversee canvassing of election results, with Weirton overseeing its election filings and candidate certification process.

Separate voting books will be used in precincts where both municipal and non-municipal voters are assigned

An addendum offered to the initial draft agreement, which had been tabled by Hancock commissioners Dec. 14, describes the processes in greater detail.

"I think it's very thoughtfully done and very complete," Commissioner Eron Chek said.

A similar agreement was approved by the Brooke County Commission last week.

The 2024 Weirton general municipal election will be held Nov. 5, with no primary election being scheduled. The filing period for the election, which will see the office of mayor and all seven council seats on the ballot, will be held from Jan. 8 until noon Jan. 27.