CLARKSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – On June 6, 2023, citizens of Clarksburg will join those in several other cities and towns in West Virginia in going to to the polls for municipal elections. This year, there are 10 candidates running for 3 seats on city council and a contested race for the Clarksburg Water Board.
Format
Clarksburg currently uses a council/manager system of government, where the position of mayor is an indirectly elected, largely symbolic position held by a member of the city council, while day-to-day operations are handled by a professional city manager.
After a 2021 charter revision, however, Clarksburg will be shifting to having elections during the traditional primary elections held in May of even-numbered years. As a result, these council seats will be for one year and the water board seat will be a three-year term.
10 Candidates, 3 Seats, 2 Incumbents
The city council election is for three at-large seats, with voters choosing up to three of 10 candidates. Two of the three incumbents, Mayor James Marino and Vice Mayor Lillie Junkins, are running for reelection and will face the following 8 challengers: Andrew J. Banko, Tim Gentilozzi, Tyler Hart, Martin Howe, Marc Jackson, Mary Mayer, Chad Edward Sigmon, and Hattie Wright.
The top 3 vote-getters will be declared duly elected.
Water They Electing?
Clarksburg is unique in that it is one of the few localities in West Virginia where the water board in directly elected. They are typically appointed by the city or, in the case of a public service district, the county commission.
Due to the previously mentioned charter revision, the term for seat on the city water board will be for three years rather than the standard four year-term. Incumbent Jon Calvert is being challenged by by contractor and 2022 House of Delegates candidate, Bryan Payne.
Details
The period for in-person early voting will be May 24-June 30. Early voting will take place in the City Clerk’s office (2nd floor of city hall) on normal business hours M-F 8AM-4PM. The City Clerk’s office will additionally be open on Saturday, May 27 from 9AM-5PM and Saturday, June 03 from 9AM-5PM.
June 6 is the Election Day; polls open at 6:30 AM and close at 7:30 PM. Precinct information can be found here.