ELKINS — Elkins City Council approved the appointment of 25 election officials for the upcoming June 10 Municipal Election during their most recent meeting.

The election officials were approved by eight council members present during the April 17 meeting, as per Elkins City Code §35.15, which states, “No later than the forty-ninth day before the election, the Council shall appoint a Uniform Election Board, consisting of two Election Commissioners and two poll clerks, to conduct each election in each precinct of the city. At the same time as the appointment of election officials or at a subsequent meeting the Council shall appoint persons as alternates.”

“I always just like to express my appreciation for anyone willing to work the election,” Elkins City Clerk Sutton Stokes said. “It’s a long day and can be thankless, but honestly I think the crowd that does it kind of enjoys making a connection with their community. It’s heartwarming to see that commitment.”

Four election officials are approved for each ward. Three alternates were also approved, as well as two emergency officials.

In First Ward, the election will be conducted by Sue Siler, Richard Moxley, Lynn Proudfoot and Stanley Taylor. The polling place for First Ward is the Church of God Family Worship Center at 1402 Taylor Avenue.

In Second Ward, the election will be conducted by Liz Roberts, Glenda Helmick, Cathy Slawter and Paula Kaufman. The polling place for Second Ward is the Mountain State Forest Festival Building at 101 Lough Street.

In Third Ward, the election will be conducted by Mary Richards, Zannah Bailey, Debbie Riddlebarger and Sara Ratley. The polling place for Third Ward is the Elkins Inn and Suites’ Randolph Room at 1200 Harrison Avenue.

In Fourth Ward, the election will be conducted by Paula Steven, Andrea Brandon, Kristopher Hennig and Fay Lothes. This election, the polling place for Fourth Ward will be at the Wees Annex at 32 Randolph Avenue.

In Fifth Ward, the election will be conducted by Linda McCauley, Jeff Skidmore, Richard Humphrey and Carolyn Gola. This election, the polling place for Fifth Ward will be at the Old Brick Playhouse at 329 Davis Ave.

Linda Silva, Jean Snedegar and Bryce Koukopoulos were appointed as alternates and Corina Belan and Tina Corcoran were chosen as emergency officials.

Five of the 10 Elkins City Council seats are up for election this year, including the First Ward seat held by Rob Chenoweth, the Second Ward seat held by Lisa Severino, the Third Ward seat held by Erika Plishka, the Fourth Ward seat held by Nanci Bross-Fregonara and the Fifth Ward seat held by David Parker. Councilmembers serve four-year terms. 

All of the five council members have filed for re-election. Chenoweth, Severino and Plishka run unopposed while Fregonara and Parker face challengers.

On the Fourth Ward ballot, challenger Jon Clingerman will be listed first on the ballot while Fregonara will be listed second. Clingerman teaches the Mill and Cabinetry high school program at the Randolph County Technical Center.

On the Fifth Ward ballot, Parker will be first on the ballot with challenger Burley Woods being listed second. Woods has served as the Director of Executive Service for the Nellis Group Enterprise, and the Director of Internal Sales for Legacy Elevated.

There will be no race for mayor in the 2025 election, according to the City Hall website, due to the 2021 charter change, which states that the mayor of Elkins now has a four-year term limit. Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco’s current term, which began July 1, 2023, will not expire until 2027.

Absentee ballot applications for the June 10 election began being accepted on March 18. Applicants have until June 4 at 4 p.m. to send for an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots will be sent out starting mid-April and must be delivered by:

* June 9, the final day for hand delivery of absentee ballots to the Office of the Elkins City Clerk.

* June 11 for absentee ballots that arrive by mail but are not postmarked.

* June 16 for absentee ballots postmarked on or before election day.

Early voting will run from May 28 until June 7.