CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Before this primary election- West Virginia was one of only two states in the nation, along with New Hampshire, that had multimember districts. For the 2022 May primary voters will notice the change from 67 districts to 100 single-member districts, according to Secretary of State Mac Warner.
“In the past we’ve had multi-member districts and the law was passed a couple of years ago and is going into effect this election for the first time. So that is one thing the clerks have been working very hard is to get those districts properly lined out,” Warner said.
Voters who were placed in an updated district/precinct should have received a postcard with updated voter information. Warner urges voters with questions to go to GoVoteWV.com to confirm your registration and polling location.
Experts said the change to single-member districts serve voters better because they’re smaller putting representatives are closer to constituents, voters have to learn about fewer candidates and candidates are required to make a connection with voters rather then blending in on the ballot.
One less congressional district
The next big change is West Virginia lost a congressional district following the 2020 United States Census. When the two districts combined to make the newly formed Second Congressional District it pits two incumbents- David McKinley and Alex Mooney- against each other for the primary along with several other Republican challengers.
Research America’s Rex Repass said polls show McKinley could be the incumbent squeezed out.
“Alex Mooney has a strong 15-point lead over David McKinley among likely Republican and Independent voters in the newly created Second Congressional District,” Repass said.
Also battling for the Republican nomination in the newly-formed Second Congressional District is Mike Seckman, Rhonda Hercules and Susan Bucsher-Lochocki.
On the Democrat side of the newly formed Second Congressional District ticket is former Morgantown city councilman Barry Wendel and Angela Dwyer, a security operations manager.
In the First District, incumbent Republican Carol Miller faces challengers Scott Fuller, James Houser, Zane Lawhorn and Kent Stevens. On the Democrat side in the First Congressional District Lacy Watson, a Bluefield native, is the lone candidate.
Election security
Warner also said this is the first year for the new ‘See Something- Text Something’ campaign to enhance election security.
“West Virginia is leveraging technology, again leading the nation, allows you text by mobile device your complaint to our investigators,” Warner said. “Actually every voter becomes an extension of the investigation team, so if you see something improper happening you can take a video or a picture and send it in.”
If you see an issue just text WV to 45995, then click on the incoming link and submit a confidential complaint.
MetroNews Decision 2022 coverage will include all of the results from across the state at dev.wvmetronews.com and on-air coverage streaming at the website and on radio stations around West Virginia beginning at 7:06 Tuesday night.