No plans right now to delay W.Va. May 12 primary at this time, state officials say

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — West Virginia’s secretary of state and attorney general said Wednesday they have no plans at this point to delay the May 12 primary election due to the coronavirus situation.

West Virginia election officials said they are expanding vote-by-mail options with the coronavirus pandemic threatening to sharply cut turnout.

“I don’t think either one of us are calling for a delay at this time,” Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said Wednesday during a news conference with Secretary of State Mac Warner.

Morrisey said the secretary of state had asked for an advisory opinion to specify what powers the secretary of state has in health emergencies when it comes to elections and how broad his authority is to regulate the distribution and receipt of ballots.

The attorney general said he believes the secretary of state has broad powers and the governor also has broad jurisdiction. He said he does not believe there is a need for a special session on elections.



https://wchstv.com/news/local/wva-secretary-of-state-attorney-general-to-hold-news-conference-about-primary-election