AP Decision Notes: What to expect in West Virginia on Election Day

WASHINGTON — Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former GOP President Donald Trump will compete for West Virginia’s four electoral votes in the Nov. 5 general election. Voters will also cast ballots in a wide range of federal and state contests, including a U.S. Senate race that will help take control of the chamber next year.

Neither Harris nor Trump campaigned in West Virginia, and the state has not been a competitive presidential battleground for years. West Virginia was a reliable Democratic territory for much of the 20th century, but Republican presidential candidates have won the state by a comfortable margin since George W. Bush won the state in 2000.

Three independent or third-party candidates will also appear on the presidential ballot this year, including Jill Stein and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who withdrew from the race in August and endorsed Trump.

In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Gov. Jim Justice is competing against Democrat Glenn Elliott and Libertarian David Moran to replace independent Democrat Joe Manchin, who is not seeking a third full term. Manchin’s retirement has complicated Democrats’ hopes of maintaining control of the chamber next year. A victory for Justice would be enough to give the GOP a majority if Trump wins the White House, assuming he holds onto the remaining seats.

Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is running against Democrat Steve Williams and three third-party candidates to replace Justice as governor. Voters will also decide two U.S. House races, including the Republican seat in the 2nd Congressional District. Incumbent Republican Alex Mooney has withdrawn from running in the U.S. Senate primary against Justice.

Other races on the ballot include state Senate, state House, attorney general and other state offices, as well as a resolution banning medically assisted suicide.

In recent years, West Virginia has increasingly elected Republican candidates to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as to statewide offices. Before changing party affiliation, Manchin was one of the last remaining Democrats representing the state.

The Associated Press does not make predictions and will announce the winner only when it determines there is no scenario that would allow the remaining candidates to close the gap. If the race is not called, the AP will continue to report on any significant developments, such as candidates making concessions or declaring victory. This will allow the AP to clarify that it has not declared a winner and explain why.

Here’s what to expect from the 2024 elections in West Virginia:

Election day

November 5.

Survey closing time

7:30 p.m. EST.

The votes of the president’s electorate

4 awarded to statewide winner.

Key races and candidates

President: Harris (no) vs. Trump (R) vs. Jill Stein (Mountain Party) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (independent).

US Senate: Elliott (D) vs. Justice (R) and another one.

Governor: Williams (R) vs. Morrisey (R) and three others.

Ballot solution: Constitutional Amendment 1 (prohibition of medically assisted suicide).

Other interesting breeds

United States House of Representatives, State Senate, State House, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Auditor, Secretary of State, and Treasurer.

Results of the previous presidential elections

2020: Trump (R) 69%, Biden (D) 30%, AP call: Tuesday, November 3, 2020, 7:30 pm ET.

Voter registration and turnout

Registered voters: 1,201,724 (as of September 30, 2024). About 29% Democrats, 41% Republicans and 25% no party.

2020 presidential election turnout: 63% of registered voters.

Voting before the elections

Votes cast before Election Day 2020: approximately 50% of all votes.

Votes cast before Election Day 2022: approximately 29% of total votes.

Votes cast before Election Day 2024: See the AP Advance vote tracker.

How long does it take to count votes?

First votes reported, November 3, 2020, 7:57 PM ET.

As of midnight EST, approximately 96% of all votes cast had been reported.

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Associated Press writer Maya Sweedler contributed to this report.