CHARLESTON — Someone driving past George Washington High School on Tuesday might think school is in session on Election Day.
Parking spots in the front lot rare to come by as voters walked in and out of the precinct doors.
Inside the high school, long lines to vote and that is being reported all over Kanawha County and the state.
“We have lines at almost every precinct,” Kanawha County Clerk Vera McCormick said. “We’ve been sending out extra express voting equipment to the ones that are really back up. When people go to vote, they need to know that there are lines.
“That’s the exciting part. Lines show that we are going to have a good turn out.”
National attention has been on West Virginia during this election cycle as national figures including President Donald Trump have campaigned in the state. Eyes all over the country will be focused on the U.S. Senate race between Joe Manchin and Patrick Morrisey along with the U.S. House race in the 3rd District between Carol Miller and Richard Ojeda.
“I think that West Virginia being in the national spotlight for the one of the first times in my voting lifetime, it makes me feel more than ever my vote actually matters,” one voter said outside of the GWHS precinct. “I feel that today more than I have ever felt that.”
The voter added that the two seats on the West Virginia Supreme Court is a race she will be keeping an eye out for.
“I think it will be really interesting with what happens with the complete toss-up of the Supreme Court. There has been so much drama surrounding that entire situation.”
In Charleston, the ballot is packed with two levies, a mayor’s race, circuit judge race, and a county commission race. Voters are also deciding on two state constitutional amendments.
One voter expressed interest in the Kanawha County Schools excess levy.
“People have to come out and vote, and people have to come out and vote yes on the school levy,” he said. “For the simple fact of the HVAC systems, our schools are old and the turf will help the athletic kids. Our kids shouldn’t be playing in mud pits.”
Early voting numbers were record setting at many place around the state.
A total of 16,352 voted early in Kanawha County and according to Secretary of State Mac Warner, 183,205 early votes were tallied in the state.
“There’s a lot there,” one voter said of the ballot. “There are some good candidates on both sides, both party lines. I think you have to do your research and have to figure out what best suits your needs for your county and your city.
“It’s a very big, important day. I think everybody is anxious, nervous, excited that it is here. I will sure be glad to not see anymore political ads on the news and get flyers in the mail.”
By Jake Flatley
