Craig Howell READY TO GO – Brooke County commissioners, Tuesday, approved the county's slate of poll workers for both the early voting period and the May 12 primary election. Early voting will be available at the county courthouses of both Brooke and Hancock counties through May 9.

WELLSBURG – Early voting for the May 12 primary is underway, and Brooke County officials are ready.

During Tuesday’s Brooke Commission meeting, commissioners approved a slate of poll workers to serve during the early voting period, which began Wednesday and will run through May 9.

“This is done for the early voters and it’s for 10 days,” explained County Clerk Kimberly Barbetta.

Those approved included Barbara McVickers, Duane Heck, MaryKay Adams, Sylvia Benzo, Missy Johns and Summer Dodd.

Each early voting poll worker will be compensated at a rate of $19 per hour.

Those wishing to take part in early voting in Brooke County may do so by visiting the Brooke County Courthouse, with voting taking place on the building’s first floor.

“It works out really well,” Barbetta said.

Early voting is available Monday through Friday, as well as May 2 and May 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition, commissioners approved a list of poll workers for the May 12 primary election, as well as their pay.

Supply commissioners will receive $250, second-in-charge positions will receive $240 and daily poll workers will receive $230, as well as $20 for polling school.

Residents of Hancock County may also take part in early voting by going to their county courthouse in New Cumberland from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays during the early voting period.

Hancock County officials continue to look for those interested in helping on the day of the primary election.

“We are still in need of a few poll workers,” noted Hancock County Clerk Karan Valenti during the April 23 Hancock County Commission meeting.

Candidates set to appear on the ballot in Brooke County include:

Sarah E. Delong, Magistrate District 1 Unexpired, and Michelle Heaton, Magistrate District 2 Unexpired. Both are nonpartisan races and unopposed; Stacey “Hukill” Wise will face Kevin Himmelrick in the Republican primary for county commission; and candidates for Brooke County Board of Education include Pete Bolock (Weirton District), Kristin Newton (Follansbee District), Stacy Paris (Hooper) (Weirton District), Ted Pauls (Wellsburg District) and Michael Traubert (Wellsburg District).

In addition, Stephen Paull is the lone candidate for Conservation District supervisor.

In Hancock County, Eron Chek is facing Ronnie Jones for the Republican nomination for county commission, with Brianne Bates the lone Democrat for the seat.

There are nine candidates for the county’s board of education: Zach Adams (Grant District), Melissa Bane (Clay District), David Brown (Grant District), Seth A. Cheuvront (Grant District), Tiffany Gale (Butler District), James A. Horstman (Clay District), Curt Parkins (Grant District), Michael Phelps (Butler District) and Jeff Woofter (Clay District).

Unopposed races include Jim Anderson for Conservation District supervisor, Matt Harvey for the unexpired Magistrate Division 2 seat and Sheena Connors for the unexpired term of circuit clerk.

On the state level, incumbent Laura Wakim Chapman is facing a challenge from Joe Eddy in the Republican primary for state Senate District 1. The winner of that primary will face Democrat Shawn Fluharty in November.

In the House of Delegates, the lone contested local race is between incumbent Mark Zatezalo and Tony Viola for the Republican nomination in District 2. The winner is set to face Daniel Joseph Day, the lone Democrat in the race, in November.

Other candidates include Republican incumbent Pat McGeehan and Democrat Quincy Wilson for the District 1 House of Delegates seat and Republican incumbent Jimmy Willis and Democrat Mike Robinson for the District 3 House seat.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)