MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The polls are closed following the first day of early voting in the Roads to Prosperity Constitutional Amendment decision that now rests with voters.
Early voting will continue Monday through Saturday until Wednesday, October 4. Voters will determine whether to issue $1.6 billion in road bonds to fund infrastructure projects throughout the state, including eight projects for approximately $230 million in Monongalia County.
“There are pros and cons, both sides of the issue,” Secretary of State Mac Warner said Friday on Morgantown AM. “Everybody knows we need to improve the roads and the infrastructure in West Virginia, but there is a cost associated with that. And if people think that the cost is too much, goes on for too long, or the interest rates, or they have questions or concerns then they may not want to vote for it.”
Warner said he sees legitimate reasons on both sides to vote for or against the amendment.
“But the people who say, ‘No, we need that infrastructure to bring in the businesses and tourism’ then they want to vote for it,” he said. “So it’s a great issue.”
Warner said special elections can sometimes confuse voters, but said normal rules are in place. Voters must be at least 18 years old and have registered to vote before the September 18 deadline. Most importantly, they must be residents of West Virginia.
“If they are a Pennsylvania resident, then no they shouldn’t be voting in the West Virginia special bond election,” Warner said.
Warner pointed that out due to the number of business owners in border counties who may live outside the state while also working in it.
Election Day is October 7. During early voting, polling locations are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday. Tuesday through Saturday they are open 9 a.m. to 5 a.m.