RACHEL C. DOVE

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON - Saturday, May 5, concluded the 10 days of early voting at the Mingo County courthouse, and totals released from the County Clerk’s office stated there were 934 registered voters who took advantage of the opportunity to cast their votes prior to today’s primary.

Polling locations opened this morning at 6:30 a.m. and will remain open until 7:30 p.m. Ballot boxes will then be transported to the Courthouse where they will be tabulated and certified, followed by an announcement of the winners.

Voting locations for the 2012 Primary and General Elections are as follows, headed under the district in which they fall:

In the Williamson District, the separated voting areas are called Wards, since Williamson is a City municipality. In other areas of the county, the Districts are divided into Precincts.

In Williamson, the polling places are as follows: Ward 1, Williamson Towers in East End; Ward 3, The Curriculum Center on Vinson Street; Ward 5, The Mingo County Courthouse; Ward 7, Goodman Manor on Fourth Avenue; Ward 9, The Fieldhouse; and Ward 26 will vote at the Board of Education.

In the Tug-Hardee District, Precinct 23 will vote at the Nolan Freewill Baptist Church, Precinct 22 will cast their votes at the Chattaroy Volunteer Fire Department in two separate rooms, according to whether your last name begins with the letters A-J or K-Z. Precinct 41, Tug Valley High School; Precinct 47, held at the Lenore K-8 Middle School, also take place in two separate room divided by last names beginning with A-H and I-Z.

In the Kermit-Harvey District, Precinct 43, Kermit City Hall; Precinct 44 will cast their ballots inside the Marrowbone Fire Department, rooms will be designated for those with last names beginning with letters A-L and M-Z. Precinct 45 will vote inside Wade Marcum’s Building; and those residing in Precinct 46 will vote in the Dingess Grade School in separate classrooms designated for letters A-L and M-Z.

The Lee District residents in Precinct 27 will vote inside the Delbarton Middle School in separate classrooms, names beginning with A-H and I-Z. Precinct 28 (Elk Creek) will also vote at the Delbarton Middle School. Precinct 30 (21st District) will cast their ballots inside the Glen Merritt’s Church and Precinct 48 will vote inside two room of the Old Gilman Store, based on the first letter of their last name.

In the Beech Ben-Matewan District, Precinct 55 will vote at the Beech Creek Park; Precinct 57 at the Red Jacket SSK Game Room and Precinct 73 will vote at Wharncliffe (Ben Creek).

The Magnolia District will see Precinct 56 voters gathering to support their candidates of choice at the Donald Taylor Community Center; Precinct 51 will vote at the Matewan Middle (A-H and I-Z); Precinct 59 will cast ballots in the Varney Middle School (A-H and I-Z) and Precinct 50 will vote at the Delorme Bible Church (Thacker).

The residents of the Stafford District will vote at the following locations: Precinct 72, Justice, will vote at the Stone Lodge; Precinct 74 will vote at the Baisden Volunteer Fire Department (A-G and H-Z); Precinct 75 will vote at the Gilbert Middle School, as will Precinct 76.

The 2012 Primary Election has become a very heated one with several of the county seats currently up for grabs, including the Mingo County Commission slot which sees incumbent David Baisden squaring off against Sheriff Lonnie Hannah.

The magistrate race includes two veteran magistrates, Pamela Newsome and Dee Sidebottom, recently appointed Magistrate Dallas Toler who was nominated to fill the vacancy following the resignation Eugene Crum, and Chattaroy resident Jim Harvey who had his first experience with politics when he was a candidate for county commission four years ago.

Former Magistrate Eugene Crum, Mingo County Sheriff’s Department Chief Field Deputy James Smith and a Williamson Private Investigator, Don Stevens are vying for the sheriff’s position.

Numerous candidates are on the ballot for the House of Delegates Positions currently held by Harry Keith White and Justin Marcum. Nathan Brown, a challenger against Marcum has run a hard race, especially during the last few weeks. Marvin Vernatter is also a candidate for the delegate slot, as well as Republicans Mike Baisden and Diane Shafer, among others.

The Prosecuting Attorney seat has become a hot race, with incumbent C. Michael Sparks, Attorney Charles “Butch” West and Attorney Robert Carlton putting their best foot forward to win the votes of the residents of Mingo County.

There are 11 Board of Education candidates who are attempting to gain one of the three seats up for grabs.

The Presidential election, Governor’s race, U.S. Congress, State Senate, Commissioner of Agriculture and many others will also be on the ballot tomorrow. Everyone is encouraged to exercise their right to vote.

If you have a question or concern about the election process today, you may contact the Mingo County Clerk’s office by calling 304-235-0330, The West Virginia State Police at 304-235-6000 or the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office at 304-558-6000.

A complete list of the primary winners will be featured in tomorrow’s edition of the Daily News.