photo by: Joselyn King
Erin Witchey, coordinator of elections for Ohio County, draws back the curtain on a new voting booth that will be in operation starting today at the City-County Building.
WHEELING — West Virginians head to the early voting booths starting today, and in Ohio County voters will have a little more privacy when they cast their ballot this year.
Early voting begins today, and takes place Monday through Saturday until Nov. 2. Actual Election Day is on Nov. 5.
Erin Witchey, coordinator of elections in Ohio County, has made some physical changes within the voting location at the City-County Building. It is located in Room 102 just inside the front door to the building in the municipal courtroom.
There will once again be six voting machines in the room, but they are now all lined up against one wall. Individual “booths” made of PVC pipe have been constructed, and red and white curtains are attached to each booth that can be pulled for privacy.
Previously, voting machines were set up in the open in the middle of the room.
“The way it was set up in the past it was kind of impossible — or at least really tricky — for someone to not walk behind someone when they were voting (and perhaps see their screen),” Witchey said. “It just didn’t allow for privacy.”
The change in the alignment provides much more walkable space in the room, and Witchey said there is now room for chairs for people to sit in if they have to wait to go into the booths.
“What is nice is that people with mobility issues — they don’t have to worry about cords being taped to floors,” she added.
Witchey said she came up with the idea for building the voting booths out of PVC pipe, and her partner, Matt Allietta, drew up plans and constructed them. They can be easily disassembled and stored until the next election.
Polls will be open in each county during the following times on weekdays:
– Brooke County — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
– Hancock County — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
– Marshall County –8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
– Ohio County — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
– Tyler County — Courthouse is open 8-4 p.m.
– Wetzel County — 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Voting will be extended until 6 p.m. Thursdays.
On Saturdays, early voting in all counties is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Voters must bring identification with them to the polls, with the most common forms being a voter registration card or a driver’s license.