West Virginia voters continued to participate in this frenzied election at a historic pace.
With Election Day now here, the continued surge of voters reflected the hotly-contested presidential race, emotional investment and defiance of pandemic conditions.
“Are we in for higher turnout? I think there are more and more signs we’re in for a higher turnout election,” said Erik Herron, the Eberly Family Distinguished Professor of Political Science at West Virginia University.
“It does seem like it’s not just about voters adjusting to the pandemic.”
In the 2016 General Election, 732,362 West Virginians cast ballots — 57 percent turnout.
In 2012, there were 685,099 voters — 55 percent turnout.
In 2008, it was 702,109 — 57.9 percent turnout.
By Monday morning, the Secretary of State’s Office was already reporting 389,248 votes cast in this election, reflecting 30.7 percent turnout.
“That is remarkable,” said Marybeth Beller, a political science professor at Marshall University. “It looks like West Virginia is on target to meet or exceed our normal 50 percent turnout.”
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