Republicans pull ahead in early voting, lagging in battleground districts in West Virginia

Republicans have edged out Democrats in casting early in-person ballots, but are lagging behind in key battleground districts, according to data released by the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office on Thursday. 

Overall, 115,855 votes have been cast, 30% higher than during the same period of the 2022 midterms, according to a news release. 

Data shows as of Wednesday, 45,333 Democrats have either voted in person or returned absentee ballots, while 47,153 registered Republicans have done the same. 

Voters registered as no party, or other party — meaning not a member of one of the recognized minor parties in the state — accounted for 22,845 of early ballots cast in person or through the mail. 

However, in counties with tough state house races, the Democrats appear to be outnumbering Republicans in early and absentee voting. 

In Cabell and Wayne counties, where an open state Senate seat is up for grabs, 3,807 Democrats have either voted early or returned an absentee ballot, compared to 3,337 Republicans. 

In the Northern Panhandle, where a one-term incumbent Republican is facing a challenge from the House minority whip, there’s similar margins in Ohio, Brooke, Hancock and Marshall counties. 

So far, 2,943 Democrats have either early voted or returned an absentee ballot, while 2,715 Republicans have done the same. 

In the Morgantown-Fairmont area, where two seasoned politicians are vying for state Senate, the margins are even wider. So far, 6,448 Democrats have cast a ballot in Marion and Monongalia counties, while only 4,054 Republicans have done so. 

Early voting concludes on Saturday, Oct. 31. 

The general election is Nov. 3.