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Early voting starts today for Elkins election

ELKINS — City residents can cast their ballots for the Elkins municipal election, as early voting kicks off today and continues through March 4.

Early in-person voting will be offered at City Hall, 401 Davis Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday during the early voting period.

The municipal election is slated for March 7, and Elkins City Clerk Jessica R. Sutton said the number of candidates for the First Ward and Fifth Ward races may attract a good voter turnout.

“It might draw more people out, but it’s kind of hard to say. … It’s really hard to anticipate,” Sutton said.

On Election Day, polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Polling places include:

First Ward — Church of God Family Worship Center, 1402 Taylor Ave.

Second Ward — Mountain State Forest Festival Building, 101 Lough St.

Third Ward — Day’s Inn, 1200 Harrison Ave.

Fourth Ward — Randolph County Courthouse Annex, 4 Randolph Ave.

Fifth Ward — Elkins City Hall, 401 Davis Ave.

In the race for mayor, incumbent Van Broughton, who is running for his third two-year term, will face official write-in candidate Sam Barbagallo Jr.

Barbagallo’s name will not appear on the ballot, as he did not file for candidacy before that deadline. However, he did file in time to be considered an official write-in candidate, Sutton said in an interview last week.

In the First Ward race, incumbent Rhett Dusenbury is facing the following challengers: Robert Chenoweth, a local businessman and former City of Elkins attorney; Joyce Johns, a former Randolph County commissioner; and Merllene Yorkey, a local business owner.

Sutton said former candidate Phillips Kolsun withdrew from the First Ward race in early December, and his name will not appear on the ballot.

The other contested race is for Fifth Ward, which will see incumbent David C. Parker facing the following challengers: Robert L. Chewning Jr., a local businessman and veteran; Howard Knapp Jr., a local concerned citizen; Cody H. Thompson, a teacher at Elkins High School; and Jeanie Weese, a local concerned citizen.

Clayton D. Moore has withdrawn as a candidate for the Fifth Ward council seat as of Feb. 10, Sutton said. However, Moore’s name will still appear on the ballots because they already had been printed.

In the Second Ward, incumbent Charles H. Friddle III is unopposed, as well as incumbent Carman Metheny in the Third Ward. Unofficial write-in candidate Clark Martin has said he is running for Third Ward, but he missed the Jan. 17 filing deadline and votes for him will not be counted, in accordance with state code.

Marly Hazen is running unopposed for the Fourth Ward.

Council members are elected to four-year terms, with two people serving in each of the city’s five wards. Municipal elections are scheduled to take place every two years.

Sutton encourages anyone with questions about early voting, absentee voting or their polling place to check online at cityofelkinswv.com or contact her office at 304-636-1414, ext. 1211.

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