Voter turnout for West Virginia primary drops compared to 2020 cycle

OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) — They’re votes that decide candidates, set up the races and change the face of our political system…and they don’t take place in November.

If you voted in West Virginia’s primary, you helped set the foundation for a major election later this year.

But your ballot was one of only about 355 thousand statewide—and a 20 percent drop from 2020.

Officials tell 7News an election alone isn’t enough to drive enthusiasm—it comes down to the candidates and what’s at stake.

In Jefferson County, West Virginia, just 21 percent of registered voters took part in the primary election.

In Berkeley County it was less than one-fifth of those registered, and in Lincoln County…less than 7 percent.

Even in a state nominating candidates for governor, US senator and attorney general, the numbers seem to show a voter base with low turnout and lower motivation.

So what drives voters to stay home on a warm May day?

Ohio County Administrator Randy Russell says interest or lack thereof in the national races trickles down to the local ticket.

“Obviously when you have a presidential election, typically in November, we should see a pretty decent bump in turnout. But it’s really about the races and who’s involved.”

Randy Russell, Ohio County Administrator

But it isn’t just about who’s headed to the White House either.

Ohio County had a comparatively high turnout of around 40 percent, triggered in part by a tight six-person race for Wheeling Mayor.

One of the most notable boosts came in a double-digit increase in early voters in the county.

Around 500 citizens chose to cast their ballots up to two weeks ahead of time, which for some is the deciding factor in whether they fill one out at all.

“We like to think that people realize that it’s more convenient to early vote, you know, rather than worry about getting in the polling place on Election Day.”

Randy Russell, Ohio County Administrator

Russell also tells us here in Ohio County that only around 6 percent of voters were nonpartisan, meaning the independent vote wasn’t the wildcard it often is in these races.

But November 5th could tell a different story.

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