W.Va. gears up for May primary with new election requirements

Voters in West Virginia will head to the polls Tuesday for the primary election to vote on several key races.

Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

This primary comes with new voter ID requirements in West Virginia.

Passed in 2016, the new ID law requires you to show a valid ID to poll workers. That includes a driver’s license, student ID, social security card, Medicare card, concealed carry permit, a hunting and fishing license and many other forms.

Early voting for the state's May 8th primary started on April 25th and ended May 5th. Although the number is unofficial at this time, county clerks reported that 68,391 registered voters took advantage of early voting, according to a news release.

That number is a substantial increase in early voters from the last midterm election in 2014. In that primary, only 45,143 voters went to the polls early.

"Regardless of your party or political affiliation, we are encouraging registered voters who didn't vote early to get out and vote on Tuesday," W.Va. Secretary of State Mac Warner said.

If voters are unsure of where to vote, click on the link to the right of this article.

Warner said that he is also encouraging voters and poll workers to report inappropriate election or campaign activities that may occur on Election Day.

The Secretary of State's Office has a "See Something - Say Something!" public education campaign to encourage citizens to immediately report possible illegal activity to the Secretary of State's Office. The toll-free number to report that activity is 1-877-FRAUD-WV.