Local Action Alert: Kanawha Co. Republican Executive Committee Blocking Early Voting Location on Charleston’s West Side

Local Action Alert: Kanawha Co. Republican Executive Committee Blocking Early Voting Location on Charleston’s West Side

By Marian Alston & Julie Archer 

The Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee is holding up approval for an early voting location on Charleston’s West Side. The proposed location for this community voting site is the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council building at 321 Virginia Street West. 

The Kanawha County Commission, County Clerk, and Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee have already agreed to the location but the Republican Executive Committee is withholding its support. Their objection could bring the idea to a halt. Under state law, all four parties must agree before a new community voting location is established, giving any one party veto power. 

The County Commission will hold a public hearing on the West Side early voting location Thursday, February 17 at 5:00 PM in the Commission Courtroom at Kanawha County Courthouse. Those wanting to speak in support of the West Side early voting location can also make arrangements to give testimony via Zoom by contacting Jennifer Herald at (304) 357-0628 or jennifer@kanawha.us.

It’s important to show community support for establishing this additional early voting site, which will benefit the West Side, but also provide a convenient, accessible alternative to voting early at the Voter Registration Office, which is located in the judicial annex of the County Courthouse. 

SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT!

1. Contact County Commissioners and County Clerk Vera McCormick. Let them know you support the West Side early voting location. 
2. Come to the County Courthouse on Thursday, February 17 at 4:00 PM for a Press Conference and Rally. 
3. Spread the word! Invite and bring along family, friends, and neighbors. 
4. Speak at the 5:00 PM public hearing in person at the County Commission Courtroom or via Zoom. (To participate/give remarks virtually contact Jennifer Herald at (304) 357-0628 or jennifer@kanawha.us.)

County Commissioner Ben Salango told WOWK TV, “There’s never been an objection to adding an early voting location until we proposed adding one on the West Side [which has a large Black population] and now, apparently, there’s an objection.” 

To quote U.S. Senator, Rev. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, it appears “Some people don’t want some people to vote.” We need to let the Kanawha County Executive Committee know that we support this early voting location, which will benefit all eligible voters in the community.