When West Virginians go to the polls today to elect their next U.S. Senator, Governor, state delegate or county sheriff, their votes will be counted and protected despite any allegations of fraud.

Four years ago, then-President Donald Trump falsely claimed He said the election was stolen from him. The chaos that followed led to this a violent uprising his supporters tried to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory.

Trump this year in question If he loses the election, it will only be because he was deprived of victory by fraud. So things can get increasingly confusing; so if you’re watching what’s going on at home, here’s what you need to know.

Haven’t voted yet?

If you haven’t voted today, you still have time.

Many important races will be voted on today. State will have new leadership in January governorship race and local delegate races in each region.

Mountain State Spotlight has extensive coverage voter guide Contains information about every candidate running in your district and our previous coverage We’re talking to voters in all 55 counties.

How can I find out who won?

After polling places close and results come in, live election results On our website provided by the Associated Press.

We recommend reading news from news sources such as: For information on national races other than West Virginia, Associated Press. Here, these results will be updated in real time after polls close on Election Day.

Associated Press There is a team of experts People who research historical voting trends and election laws. As the votes are counted, they predict the winners when the losing candidate can no longer come back and win.

Voter turnout has historically been very high lower West Virginia has had a higher rate than other states in the last three presidential elections. But several county clerks in early voting He said there was record attendance. first day.

How are votes counted in West Virginia?

Votes cast and counted on the night of election day are reported as unofficial votes. Official results won’t be known until a few days or weeks after the polls close.

Five days after the election, excluding weekends and holidays, county election officials to manage The voting process in which mail-in ballots, early voting, absentee ballots, and election day votes are counted together. During this process, officials also examine voting machines and other vote-collecting materials.

Once the canvassing process is completed, officials announce the results and wait. 48 hoursIn the meantime, candidates can request a recount. The results are then certified, except where votes must be recounted.

Candidates will be able to object to the election through the courts within ten days after the results are finalized.

If there is no objection to the results, they are sent to the Secretary of State and the Governor for review within 30 days. The deadline for submission of results is December 5.

To learn more about how election officials evaluate votes in West Virginia, you can find the state’s voting and recounts. manual On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Or view this West Virginia Election Calendar.

To learn more about election laws, you can read the elections and officials section. state constitution.

How is your vote secured?

West Virginia Department of State ensures that every election is secure and every ballot is properly counted.

County clerks conduct the actual counting of votes at the local level, as provided in Article 1. State Law.

“The process was created to make elections the safest and most transparent to gain the public’s trust,” wrote Diana Cromley, Mason County clerk and president of the West Virginia Association of Counties. last column.

Cromley wrote that county clerks are responsible for ensuring that everyone who votes has the right to vote and has the right to vote. They also help with the campaign process after Election Day.

Is voter fraud a problem?

In 2020, former President Donald Trump claimed the presidential election was stolen, despite numerous allegations. court decisions states the opposite. These allegations are in the past echoed by West Virginia politiciansEven Secretary of State Mac Warner, the state’s top election official.

The truth is that cases of voter fraud are almost non-existent, voter impersonation is very rare, and most fraud claims are errors by election administrators. non-partisan Brennan Center for Justice.

Human errors can still happen. A state Senate candidate in Mingo County mistakenly There are nearly 700 votes left before early voting.

Additionally, various studies have been conducted carried out It showed that election fraud is incredibly rare. like that illegal In every state, non-citizens can be sentenced to up to one year in federal prison and a fine before they can vote in federal elections.

“Citizens can vote with confidence in 2024,” wrote Michael Waldman, the center’s president and CEO. “Despite the noise, lies and melodrama, the vote will likely be uneventful for the vast majority of Americans.”