Mannix Porterfield
Only three counties in southern West Virginia matched the statewide average of 40 percent voter turnout in Tuesday’s off-year general election.
Secretary of State Betty Ireland said her realistic expectations were met in Tuesday vote. “My wishful thinking, of course, was that everyone would get out and vote.”
According to unofficial numbers, 464,060 people voted in the general election out of a pool of 1.3 million registered voters. Those numbers may change slightly once election results are certified, but Ireland’s office says they accurately depict general turnout.
About 24,000 more people voted this year than in the 2002 mid-term elections.
Although the sheer number of voters who cast ballots Tuesday set a 20-year high for a mid-term election in West Virginia, turnout for mid-terms is generally around 40 percent, Ireland said.
Pocahontas led the region with a turnout of 48.78 percent, according to figures released by Ireland’s office.
In that county, 2,611 of the 5,353 registered voters marked ballots.
Nicholas sent 43.29 percent of its voters out, meaning that 6,583 of the 15,208 eligible took part in the mid-term balloting, while 3,923 of the 9,181 voters in Monroe voted for a 42.73 percent participation.
Raleigh County managed a 36.08 percent turnout, with 17,579 of the 48,721 voters casting ballots.
Fayette posted a 38.40 percent, with 9,726 of the 25,327 voters taking part, while Greenbrier’s percentage was 38.81, or 8,883 of the 22,887 voters showing at the polls.
McDowell had the feeblest turnout — 26.09 percent, or 3,861 of the 14,796 voters appearing at the polls.
Then came Logan at 27.60 percent, or 7,168 of the 25,975 registered voters taking part.
Other counties in the southern region included:
Boone, 6,081 of 18,327 voters, 33.18 percent; Mercer, 13,013 of 33,532, 38.81 percent; Summers, 3,313 of 8,771, 37.77 percent; and Wyoming, 4,806 of 16,653, 28.86 percent.
Unofficially, the turnout in West Virginia was 464,060, for a turnout of 40.8 percent.
Ireland expressed her gratitude for those who went to the polls, either in the early voting period or on election day.
“Making your voice heard is the most fundamental right we have as citizens of this great nation.”
Jackson County boasted the highest participation — a turnout of just over half of its 19,761 registered voters for a mark of 50.72 percent.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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mannix@register-herald.com
