MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The filing window for municipal offices in Morgantown remains open. Certificate of Announcement packets are available and candidates have until February 8 to collect 75 signatures from registered voters in their ward to qualify for the ballot.
Morgantown City Clerk, Christine Wade told council members three incumbents have submitted a Certificate of Announcement. They are Bill Kawecki from Ward 2, Jenny Selin from Ward 4 and Dave Harshbarger from Ward 6.
Community members have inquired about running in Ward 3 gut no packets have been picked up. Ward 3 incumbent, Zachery Cruze has accepted a job out-of-state and plans to resign in March.
To date, Wade gave a summary of candidates that have filed and are collecting signatures.
“Patrick Hathaway for Ward 1, Tony Setley Ward 5, Danielle Trumble Ward 5, Marly Ynigues Ward 5, Zach LeMaire Ward 5, Ben Mayle Ward 7 and Brian Butcher Ward 7,” Wade said.
Candidates would normally go door-to-door to collect the 75 signatures needed, but during the pandemic a signature form is available on the city website to reduce face-to-face interaction.
“City residents can print and complete this form themselves and send it to the candidate they are nominating by email or physical mail,” Wade said,” No physical contact with others required.”
The deadline to register to vote is April 6, early voting runs from April 14 through April 24 and Election Day is April 27.
The move to the four-day work week by city employees will change slightly change early voting at the city hall location. Early voting at city hall will be available Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. No early voting will be offered at city hall on Fridays.
According to Wade, technology from the GIS system will be used on Election Day to track congestion at polling sites throughout the city.
“They can enter the wait time and that wait time automatically updates to our city website,” Wade said,” So, if folks want to try and avoid the crowds they can log on.”
Now, the call is out for volunteers to operate the nine polling locations in the city.
Residents, volunteers or candidates with questions can call the clerk’s office at 304-284-7434.