Early Voting Begins Wednesday, April 25; Secretary of State Announces Voter Registration Totals

    Charleston, W.Va. – Early voting in West Virginia’s 2012 Primary Election begins Wednesday, April 25.
 
    Early voting takes place at either the county courthouse or courthouse annex during regular business hours.
 
    There will be ten days of early voting: April 25 through April 28, and then April 30 through May 5. There is no early voting on Sunday, April 29.
 
    Election Day in West Virginia is Tuesday, May 8.
 
    Early voting continues to be a popular option for West Virginians. In the 2008 Primary Election 70,815 people cast their ballot during the early voting period. In the 2008 General Election 153,096 people cast their ballot during the early voting period.
 
    “I encourage every eligible voter in West Virginia to go to the polls and vote, whether it is during the early voting period or on Election Day,” Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant said. “As I have said to groups ranging from senior citizens to high school seniors, how is anyone supposed to know what you want if you don’t vote? Your vote is your voice, and I hope everyone makes their voice heard during this election.”
 
    The Secretary of State’s Office also announced voter registration totals for the 2012 primary election.
 
    There are 1,226,545 eligible voters in West Virginia. 640,888 (52.25%) are registered Democrat, 352,304 (28.72%) are registered Republican, 1,286 (.10%) are registered Mountain, and 210,562 (17.17%) are registered with no party affiliation. There are 21,505 (1.75%) registered with another political party.
 
    The Secretary of State’s Office will again be releasing a daily update on how many early votes have been cast and how many absentee ballots have been received by county clerks. Those daily updated numbers will be available on the Secretary of State’s website at www.wvsos.com.

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