By Diana Cromley, president of WVACo, the WV Association of Counties
I’m a West Virginia County Clerk, the County Clerk from Mason County, to be exact. For 31 years, I along with my staff have coordinated the free and fair elections in Mason County, all races from President on down to the Mason County School Board. We take great pride in this duty (one of several duties performed by West Virginia’s County Clerks) as it speaks to the heart of American democracy: the right of our citizens to participate directly by voting. I can say without hesitation that your vote in the Mountain State is the safest, most secure vote to be counted anywhere in America.
Sadly, in recent years we have witnessed an increase in distrust by Americans about our election systems and vote security. Sources promoting this misinformation include losing candidates themselves to foreign actors, enemies of our great nation working to harm our freedoms. West Virginia has largely avoided these recent election doubts. Why? Because of the professionalism and seriousness County Clerks and our staff take in our election duties, working in coordination with the WV Secretary of State’s office.
Our guidance comes from WV state law – largely Chapter 3 of the state constitution; and federal law, which includes such monumental Constitutional Amendments as the 15th – which allowed Black men the right to vote following the Civil War – and the 19th – giving women the right to vote. Included are historic laws like the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Americans with Disabities Act of 1990 which among other laws allowed more people to participate in our elections. In addition, West Virginia Clerks follow the “Manual for Elections Officials of West Virginia,” a document over 150 pages long provided by the Secretary of State, that enumerates these laws and specifies our procedures for conducting elections legally and securely.
There are many rules, laws and safeguards we MUST follow to ensure your vote is counted as you intend. And every year Clerks must attend a conference training us on conducting elections and updating us on any new election laws passed by our state legislature and congress. Among these laws, we verify that: you are eligible to vote – you are an American citizen, a resident of your county and of age; you are registered to vote (registration itself involves many rules we must follow including deadlines); you have access to vote if you are disabled, confined due to age, illness, immobility or injury, or a member of the military stationed overseas; and much more. And that’s before the election!
After an election is held, County Commissions are required to meet on the 5th day after an election, known as the “Board of Canvassers,” to conduct the canvass of votes and presided by the County Clerk. Canvassing is a procedure where the materials, equipment and results of the vote are reviewed and officially recorded by the Board of Canvassers before the election is certified. The order that certifies the election by the Board of Canvassers may not be issued until after a 48-hour period where any candidate on the ballot in the county may request a recount.
Most all of the election laws in West Virginia can be found in Chapter 3 of the State Constitution (there are other chapters in state code involving elections, but the major laws are found within Chapter 3). The process is established in a manner to make elections the safest and most transparent for gaining the public’s confidence.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th. West Virginia counties are now conducting early voting until Saturday, November 2nd. Consult the WV Secretary of State website to know where you can early vote, or contact your County Clerk.
And get out and Vote!
