As early voting begins in West Virginia, political parties are working to boost voter turnout in a state with historically low participation rates. Factors such as population decline, poverty, transportation barriers, and apathy towards political parties contribute to the lack of West Virginians at the polls.
The Marion County Democrats are encouraging local voters, highlighting Senate and House races that could potentially increase Democratic representation in the Republican-majority Legislature. On the other hand, the Monongalia County Republicans are also making efforts to motivate voters through various forms of outreach such as billboards, mailers, and social media.
The state has seen an increase in Republican voter registrations, closing in on the number of registered Democrats in traditionally blue areas. Lack of competitive races, particularly for Democrats in a red state, has been cited as a reason for low voter turnout.
Furthermore, transportation and child care access, as well as the state’s population decline, are additional barriers to voting. The focus has shifted towards down ballot races and local representation, as residents will be voting for positions like governor and seats in the Legislature.
With early voting now underway and the general election approaching on November 5th, both Democrats and Republicans are working to engage voters and emphasize the importance of participating in the electoral process.
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Photo credit westvirginiawatch.com