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Commission hears election update

ELKINS — The Randolph County Commission received an update on preparations for the upcoming primary election.

Randolph County Clerk Brenda Wiseman gave commissioners and the public information regarding a new voter identification law, early voting times and recruiting poll workers.

“I just wanted to give a little update on how everything is going with the election,” Wiseman said. “My staff and I have been working hard getting all the machines tested and ready to go, we’ve been mailing out absentee ballots and we are getting poll workers lined up.”

The voter identification law, which came into affect on Jan. 1, requires voters to show a form of identification to cast their vote.

Acceptable forms of non-photo identification include a voter registration card, Medicare card or Social Security card, birth certificate, West Virginia hunting or fishing license, West Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program identification card, West Virginia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families identification card, West Virginia Medicaid identification card, bank or debit card, utility bill or bank statement issued within six months or the election, or health insurance card issued to the voter.

Forms of acceptable photo identification accepted include a West Virginia drivers license or other West Virginia identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, drivers license issued by another state, United States passport or passport card, military identification card issued by the United States, United States or West Virginia government employee identification card, student identification card, or concealed carry (pistol/revolver) permit.

“When you go to vote this time, you have to show ID. There are a lot of different IDs that are acceptable. It’s not just one certain thing you have to have, there are a lot of different things you can use,” Wiseman said. “I’m just hoping it doesn’t cause long lines with people trying to dig out their ID, but we’ll get through it.”

Wiseman noted there are three exceptions to the identification requirement, which includes a signed, sworn statement by an adult who has known the voter for six months or more; if the poll worker knows the voter; or for residents of state care facilities.

Early voting will begin April 25 at the Wees Annex and run through May 5. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 28 and May 5, both Saturdays.

Wiseman said although a few normal poll workers have canceled, other individuals have volunteered and they are prepared for the election.

“We’ve had a few poll workers cancel off the original list, but we’ve put notices out and had several people call in, so right now we are full and we are good,” Wiseman said. “We have several options to choose from this time, which is great.”

Officials will be testing voting machines in the lobby of the Randolph County Courthouse at 11 a.m. today, and the testing is open to the public.

“That’s open for anybody to come. Watch us test the machine, see how they work, ask questions about what happens on election day and election night,” Wiseman said. “Anybody that wants to is welcome to come.”

The primary election will take place on May 8.

In other business:

• Commissioners unanimously approved a funding request from the Elkins Babe Ruth tournament in the amount of $4,000 to be taken from the hotel/motel tax budget line.

The tournament is scheduled for July 26-30 and will bring teams from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and West Virginia to Elkins.

• Commissioners unanimously approved a funding request from Tygart Valley Fairs and Festivals for their annual Mother’s Day celebration in the amount of $5,200 to be taken from the hotel/motel tax budget line.

• Commissioners unanimously approved the re-hire of Aaron Channell as a Randolph County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Channell will begin Monday at a rate of $37,822 per year with full benefits.

• Commissioners unanimously approved signing a memorandum of understanding with the Randolph County Humane Society for services in 2018/2019.

• Commissioners unanimously approved an annual beer permit for the Labor Day weekend “Cavers Reunion” in Dailey.

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