CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginian voters will decide who gets seats in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, the Legislature and the state Supreme Court. There also are two ballot issues.
After 10 days of early voting, Election Day polls open Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
Here is a look at some voting numbers and key races on the ballot:
EARLY VOTING
According to figures released Monday by the secretary of state’s office, more than 174,000 residents voted early, a record for a midterm election since early voting was first allowed in 2002. That compares to more than 97,000 early votes in the last midterm general election in 2014 and a record 210,000 in the 2016 general election.
There are about 1.24 million registered voters in the state, down about 33,000 from the 2016 general election.
Registered Democrats comprise nearly 42 percent of the electorate. Registered Republicans make up about 32 percent of all voters and 22 percent had no party affiliation.
U.S. SENATE
Democrat Joe Manchin, a former governor, is seeking a second full six-year term in the Senate. He first took office after a 2010 special election prompted by the death of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
Manchin, running in a state Republican President Donald Trump won by 42 percentage points in 2016, faces a challenge from Republican Patrick Morrisey, the two-term state attorney general. Also on the ballot is Libertarian Rusty Hollen.
U.S. HOUSE
The 3rd District seat vacated by Jenkins pits Democratic state Sen. Richard Ojeda against Republican state delegate Carol Miller.
Congressmen David McKinley from the 1st District faces Democrat Kendra Fershee, a West Virginia University law professor. Congressman Alex Mooney from the 2nd District goes up against Democrat Talley Sergent, a former Hillary Clinton state presidential campaign director.
STATE SUPREME COURT
Ten candidates are running in each of two races for unexpired terms on the state Supreme Court. The vacancies occurred after the retirements of justices Menis Ketchum and Robin Davis amid an impeachment scandal.
Republican former state House of Delegates speaker Tim Armstead and GOP Congressman Evan Jenkins, picked as temporary replacements by Republican Gov. Jim Justice, are also on the ballot. Armstead is running for Ketchum’s unexpired term, which runs through 2020. Jenkins is seeking Davis’ unexpired term, which runs through 2024.
BALLOT ISSUES
Voters will decide on separate constitutional ballot measures that would allow lawmakers to restrict or ban tax-payer funded abortions and have some control over the state judiciary’s budget.
Earlier this year, the Legislature approved a resolution that says: “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.” It would authorize lawmakers to restrict or outlaw state funding for Medicaid abortions. Abortions would remain legal under federal law.
Opponents say it would put the issue in the hands of the Legislature, which could ban Medicaid-funded abortions in cases of rape, incest or when a woman or girl’s health is at risk.
The judiciary budget question would allow the Legislature to decide each year whether to reduce the state courts’ budget, but not less than 85 percent of the previous year’s budget. It also would require the Supreme Court’s chief justice to answer budget questions before lawmakers.
Opponents have said the measure would infringe on the courts’ independence. The ballot question was approved amid questions about the Supreme Court’s spending practices, including lavish renovations to individual justices’ offices.
LEGISLATURE
Half of the 34 state Senate seats and all 100 House of Delegates seats are up for grabs. Republicans hold a 22-12 majority in the Senate and a 64-36 lead in the House.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.