PARSONS – Voting is a right – and folks should strive to exercise that right and vote for the candidates of their choice. Early voting and absentee voting are ways to help making voting easier for folks to exercise this privilege. Tucker County Clerk Sherry Simmons said she encourages folks to get out and vote, and to utilize the early voting option.
Simmons said early voting will be available in the Tucker County Courthouse Annex, Room 204.
“Registered Tucker County voters may cast their ballots during early voting which begins at 8 a.m. Oct. 22,” Simmons said. “Early voting is available from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays beginning on the 22nd. We will be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and the last day for early voting is Nov. 1.”
Simmons said those wishing to vote early should bring some form of identification like a driver’s license or voter registration card.
“If folks are unable for early voting by Nov. 1, they need to go to the polls Nov. 4,” Simmons stated. “The polls open for the general election at 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 4 and they close at 7:30 p.m. Those voting on Election Day, Nov. 4, should cast their ballots at their regular precinct.”
Simmons said there are many advantages to voting early.
“Lots of folks have appointments or they travel on Election Day,” stated Simmons. “It’s to their benefit to come and early vote. If folks cannot early vote or they are out of town, have an appointment, are confined to their home or if they are sick, they can contact the Tucker County Clerk’s office for an absentee form.”
Simmons said the form needs to be signed along with the reason folks cannot vote.
“Once we receive the absentee form back, we verify all of the information,” she said. “Then we mail them back an absentee ballot. It is very important to follow all of the instructions inside and mail the ballot back to the office. That ballot is processed on election day.”
Simmons said typically, Tucker County has a large number of voters in the elections.
“It seems folks enjoy early voting,” she said. “If folks are in town or if they are grocery shopping, they can swing over and see us and vote. They seem to feel it’s a relief to vote early and have it completed.”
Simmons said early voting is a convenience. According to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, the first election in West Virginia to feature early voting was the 2002 primary.
“Early voting makes it easier for the voter,” said Simmons. “In the event they have something planned, it makes it easier. Those who come in and vote early really enjoy the option.”
Whether voting early or on Election Day, Simmons asks voters to remember the following tips.
“Please color in the oval to the left hand side of the names,” Simmons said. “It is also very important to read the ballot and to flip the ballot over. Items can be on both sides of the ballot – that is specified at the bottom of the ballot. We try to educate our voters. The poll workers know when people receive their ballots, it is placed in a plastic sleeve that says to remember to vote both sides of the ballot.”
During this general election, Tucker County residents may cast their selection for U.S. Senator, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senator, State House of Delegates, Tucker County Commissioner, Nonprofit Youth Organization Tax Exemption Support Amendment and Tucker County Board of Education Levy.
Additional information about early voting in Tucker County is available by calling the Tucker County Clerk’s office at 304-478-2414 ext. 201.