Remember to register — and vote

Election day in West Virginia is just around the corner.
Registered voters can turn out at the polls on Nov. 5 to vote for president, West Virginia’s next governor (either Republican Patrick Morrisey or Democrat Steve Williams) and other offices that make up the state’s Board of Public Works. There’s a proposed amendment to the state Constitution on the ballot as well relating to the protection from medically-assisted suicide or euthanasia.
There also are contested races here for U.S. Senate (Democrat Glenn Elliott and Republican Jim Justice), U.S. House District 2 (Republican Riley Moore and Democrat Steve Wendelin), West Virginia House of Delegates (Democrat Diane Market Gaston and Republican Geno Chiarelli) along with a handful of local contested races.
In Monongalia County that includes races for sheriff (Democrat Todd Forbes and Republican Jason Morgan), county commissioner (Republican Maryann Folz and Democrat Tom Bloom) and assessor (Democrat Mark Musick and Republican Rich Jacobs).
To vote, you first must be registered. If you’ve not already done so, you can register in-person through Tuesday at your local county courthouse, via mail (the mail must be postmarked Tuesday), or online by end of day Tuesday.
Voting is just around the corner. Early, in-person voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 23 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2. There is no reason not to get out and vote.
We can do better in our voting participation — in 2020, just 57.04% of all Monongalia County registered voters cast a ballot. Preston County saw nearly 73% voter turnout, while Marion County had 63%.
Register to vote. Then get out and vote. It’s our responsibility to turn out at the polls to support our candidates. It’s how our system works. And that system requires your participation. Vote.