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We’re officially within one month of the general election, and there is certain to be some action in the coming weeks.
Candidate forums and meet-and-greets are continuing, as shown Thursday evening with an event in Wellsburg featuring Republican candidates from Hancock, Brooke, and Ohio counties, as well as U.S. Rep. Riley Moore.
Moore’s opponent, Ace Parsi, has been in the area multiple times in recent weeks. This was the first for the sitting Congressman.
Local candidates have made their own appearances, had their own events, and, otherwise, gone door-to-door visiting with residents in the hopes of receiving their support.
In the meantime, there are some dates the voters should keep in mind leading up to Nov. 3 when the nation heads to the polls.
Those who are not currently registered to vote, need to change their address or other information, or are interested in changing their partisan affiliation must do so by Oct.13 (this coming Tuesday) in order for it to be effective for the election.
If you don’t have an active voter registration by then, you can’t vote.
Visit your local County Clerk’s Office, or go online to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, to register or make any of the changes you might need.
Registration for members of our nation’s military, or for certain citizens living overseas, may be accepted until Nov. 2. Check with election officials for additional information in that regard.
Early voting will run from Oct. 21 to Oct. 31, with residents able to cast their ballots during the regular hours of their county courthouse Monday through Friday, as well as from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31.
We used to have more time in West Virginia for the early voting period. It was narrowed to two weeks in recent years. I suppose two weeks should be plenty of time, but consider Ohio’s early voting began this past Tuesday. Then again, Pennsylvania doesn’t offer an early voting period at all.
All three states offer some form of voting by mail, though. In West Virginia, those wishing to vote by mail through an absentee ballot must have their paperwork filed with their County Clerk’s Office by Oct. 28.
There also are emergency absentee ballots, requests for which may be filed from Oct. 27 to noon, Nov. 3. That option is for situations where there may be a sudden medical situation, you are a replacement poll worker who receives an appointment after the early voting period has ended, are in a licensed health care facility within an adjacent county or 35 miles from the county seat, in a nursing home for less than 30 days prior to the election, or if the voter has become confined because of a medical condition.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but there really are only a handful of contested races coming up. There’s also a proposed amendment to West Virginia’s Constitution, on which I’m sure we’ll have more information at some point in the near future.
Four of our five legislative representatives face challenges (the fifth seat won’t be on the ballot for another two years), and there’s a Hancock County commission seat up for grabs, along with the aforementioned race for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Even with the relatively small ballot, I continue to encourage people to take the time to vote. It is our civic responsibility to make our voices heard through this process. Let the people we put in these positions know whether we agree with their actions. Pay attention to what they say, and what they have done. Know their positions on the topics important to you. Educate yourself and speak loudly through your vote.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is part of the news staff of The Weirton Daily Times. He can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)