CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A record number of West Virginia voters have already participated in person for the November 5 General Election, according to a report released on Monday by WV Secretary of State Mac Warner.

Early voting for the November 5 General Election has surpassed the previous record for early voting set in the 2020 General Election. 

According to Warner, as of Saturday evening, a total of 332,081 voters have already cast a ballot statewide. Early in-person voters accounted for 310,421 of the ballots cast. 21,660 voters participated by absentee ballot. A total of 4,640 absentee ballots have not yet been returned to the county clerks.

A breakdown of early voting totals to date including voter participation by political party affiliation for each county can be downloaded HERE.

A summary of the breakdown includes:

In-Person Voters = 310,421 (Includes Saturday’s totals)

• 91,978 Democrats
• 143,554 Republicans
• 329 Mountain Party
• 60,196 No Party Affiliation
• 1,547 Libertarian
• 12,817 Other Parties

Absentee Ballot Voters = 21,660 (as of Saturday)*

• 9,494 Democrats
• 7,993 Republicans
• 23 Mountain Party
• 3,273 No Party Affiliation
• 71 Libertarian
• 806 Other Parties

*Absentee ballots requested but NOT returned yet = 4,640

There are 1,657 precincts open on Tuesday throughout the state. Polls are open 6:30am to 7:30pm, and voters in line at the close of polls will be able to vote. No campaigning or wearing campaign materials within 100-ft or inside polling locations.

Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information.

Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.

Story by Emyah Fortenberry

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As West Virginia gears up for the 2024 general election, the state auditor race offers voters a choice between Democrat Mary Ann Claytor, with 22 years as a state auditor employee, and Republican Mark Hunt, with 14 years of state legislature experience.

Both candidates come with extensive experience and unique priorities for the office, which plays a vital role in the overseeing state spending and regulatory compliance.

In a recent interview on 580 Live with Dave Allen on 580 WCHS, Claytor emphasized the need for her unique experience in the State Auditor position.

“There is a continual need for somebody like me that actually has accounting and auditing experience,” Claytor said. “I am the only candidate actually with an accounting degree and real auditing experience.”

However, Hunt said the role extends far beyond auditing alone.

“There’s more to the auditor’s office than auditing, a whole lot more.”

Hunt refers to his career of public service including several terms in the House Delegates. He’s been in the state Senate since 2020.

Both candidates have expressed intentions to enhance financial transparency across state agencies and aim to make improvements to the the current transparent checkbook initiative.

Hunt said, “I would require all state entities to participate in the transparent checkbook. Currently, it is optional.”

Proposing this change aims to ensure greater accountability in government spending Hunt includes.

Current two-term state Auditor J.B. McCuskey has been active in the area of transparency including the checkbook program that opens the books of counties and municipal government. Claytor said she’d tweak the program.

“I don’t like the way the information gets put in. I’m a big proponent of source documents; information coming straight from the source documents,” Claytor explained.

Hunt defeated Delegate Caleb Hanna of Charleston, House Majority Leader Eric Householder of Martinsburg and former Jefferson County Commissioner Tricia Jackson in the May Primary. Claytor has twice previously run for auditor.

MetroNews Decision 2024 coverage begins Tuesday night at 7:06.

During the bye week, the West Virginia coaching staff hit the recruiting trail visiting some of their current commits while also trying to make progress on a few undecided prospects.

There is one recruit in particular that West Virginia fans will want to keep an eye on over the next few weeks, defensive end Wilnerson Telemaque.

The 6’6″, 260-pounder from Miami, Florida recently re-opened his recruitment after being committed to Wisconsin since mid-June. He initially chose the Badgers over finalists West Virginia and Georgia Tech while also holding offers from Colorado, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Liberty, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pitt, Texas A&M, Wake Forest, and others.

Telemaque informed me over the weekend that he has been in contact with West Virginia but did not disclose any further details. During his radio show heading into the Arizona game, WVU head coach Neal Brown noted a few areas where he would like to add to the 2025 recruiting class, and the defensive line was one of them.

Considering Telemaque is someone they have a strong connection with and is a player who has already taken an official visit to Morgantown, he’s the most ideal target for the Mountaineers.

In eight games this season, Telemaque has recorded 16 tackles, three sacks, and three tackles for loss.

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