BUCKHANNON – So far, early voting numbers are lower for the 2024 primary election than they were two years ago.

Upshur County Clerk Carol Smith said 1,247 early voters had cast their ballots as of the close of business on Wednesday, May 8.

“That appears to be a little low,” Smith said. “During the primary in 2022, we had a little over 2,000 [early voters]. I don’t see 800 more people voting in the next three days, so it’s unusual to be that slow on a presidential election year.”

Early voting continues through Saturday, May 11, at the Upshur County Courthouse. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. In-person voting will be held in each precinct on Primary Election Day — Tuesday, May 14 — from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

About 100 people have applied for absentee ballots, she added.

“I don’t know if people more people are just going to vote on Election Day, rather than early voting, but as of yesterday, we had had about 100, maybe 120, absentee ballots mailed, which is a little higher than what we normally see,” Smith said. “So we had a little less early voting and a little more absentee ballots than normal.”

Smith said the election process has been running smoothly so far, and she expects quick tabulations on Election Day.

“I would anticipate we will be done tabulating, probably by 9:30 p.m., so not too late,” Smith said. “We do have to wait for the precincts to come in. Selbyville is farther, so it takes them a little while longer to get here, but I think even in 2022 I think we’re close to being done by 9:30 p.m.”

The only precinct that has changed voting locations since the last presidential election is Precinct 33, which was in the Excelsior Community Building. Due to redistricting, that precinct is now part of Precincts 35 and 37, which are at Union Elementary School.

“Yesterday was the last day that we could receive an absentee ballot application, so no more absentees, but we do have emergency absentee ballots for people who maybe wind up in the hospital, that kind of thing — we have that clear up through Election Day,” Smith said. “We’re open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, tomorrow, Friday, and then again on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

All early voting is held at the Upshur County Courthouse.

Sample ballots for the election can be found on the Upshur County Clerk’s website. More information about the local Upshur County candidates can be found in My Buckhannon’s post on the recent candidate forum. Information about the Upshur County Commission race and how their districts will affect the outcome can also be found on My Buckhannon.