CHARLESTON –  The official who oversees elections in West Virginia said just over one in five registered voters cast a ballot in this week’s state Primary Election.

West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner said a preliminary total of 250,755 registered voters cast ballots for the election. West Virginia has 1,198,933 registered voters, meaning the state Primary Election had a 20.91% voter turnout rate.

Voter turnout rates were low across our region.

In Randolph County, 4,314 voters cast ballots in the Primary Election, out of 17,329 registered voters, with a voter turnout of 24.9%.

A total of 3,538 Upshur County voters cast ballots, out of 14,348 registered voters, with a voter turnout of 24.66%.

In Barbour County, 2,116 out of 11,928 registered voters cast ballots in the Primary Election, a 17.7% voter turnout.

A total of 1,163 Tucker County voters cast Primary Election ballots, out of 5,123 registered voters, with a voter turnout percentage of 22.7%.

In Pocahontas County, a total of 1,835 Primary Election ballots were cast, out of 5,524 registered voters, a voter turnout percentage of 33.22%.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the county clerks and the more than 8,500 election day workers that helped our Primary Election run smoothly,” Warner said. “I also want to thank all of the candidates who participated.”

“But most of all, I’d like to thank the voters who made time to cast a ballot. We are doing our best to make it easy to register and easy to vote. My office is always open to suggestions as to how we can do better in the future.”

Statewide, Warner said 67,361 voted early in-person from April 29 to May 9, as well as 3,533 voters who participated by absentee ballot prior to election day.

A total of 1,684 precincts, including 34 split precincts, open on election day, and to a total of 1,198,933 registered voters eligible to vote.

Warner said West Virginia’s first statewide election requiring voters to provide a photo ID to vote was well received by the voters. In 2025, at Warner’s request, the state legislature passed legislation to make West Virginia one of 24 other states in the nation to require voters to present a photo ID to vote. 

“Providing a photo ID to vote creates a higher level of security and confidence in elections,” said Secretary Warner. “The county clerks did a great job of educating the public on the change.”

County Boards of Canvassers will begin canvassing on Monday, May 18, or as soon after that date that a quorum is present. Following the declaration of results at the end of canvass, candidates have 48 hours or until the election is certified, whichever is greater, to request a recount. For races in multi-county districts, the 48-hour clock does not begin until the last county in the district declares the results.