Hancock Commission approves emergency voting policy
Trending
NEW CUMBERLAND -- In an effort to ensure every registered voter in Hancock County can cast their ballots without difficulty, the Hancock County Commission, Thursday, approved an emergency absentee voting policy for the 2024 primary election.
"We do this every year," noted Commissioner Eron Chek, prior to the unanimous approval.
The emergency absentee voting policy follows guidelines under West Virginia Code 3-3-5c, allowing the use of an absentee ballot under certain medical or emergency situations.
"It's to make sure they can get a ballot," County Clerk Karan Valenti said.
In particular, those who would qualify for an emergency absentee ballot would be hospitalized or confined to a duly licensed health care facility within an adjacent county or within 35 miles of the county seat for medical treatment, or those in a nursing home within the county who would otherwise be unable to vote in person having resided at the nursing home for less than 30 days.
West Virginia's primary election is scheduled for May 14.
According to schedules on the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office, emergency absentee voting may be claimed from May 7 to noon on May 14.
The regular absentee ballot application period is scheduled through May 8, with in-person early voting set for May 1 to May 11.
The commission also heard from Chuck Glenn, county conservation district supervisor, who introduced members of the Brown family who own the Murrary Farm on Murray Road, and discussed the various programs offered through the Northern Panhandle Conservation District.
In other business, Thursday, the commission:
Approved an order to reopen the estate of Edith J. Anderson as a result of a pending military claim, with Darrel D. Wright appointed as executor;
Unanimously approved the retirement of Sgt. Eric Cline from the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, effective Jan. 19, with a 2-1 approval of Cline's accrued vacation, compensation, personal and sick time, in part for payment and in part for application toward his retirement. Chek questioned the validity of the policy being applied.