By Diana Cromley, president of WVACo, the WV Association of Counties

I’m a West Virginia County Clerk, the County Clerk from Mason County, to be exact.  For 31 years, I along with my staff have coordinated the free and fair elections in Mason County, all races from President on down to the Mason County School Board. We take great pride in this duty (one of several duties performed by West Virginia’s County Clerks) as it speaks to the heart of American democracy: the right of our citizens to participate directly by voting.  I can say without hesitation that your vote in the Mountain State is the safest, most secure vote to be counted anywhere in America. 

Sadly, in recent years we have witnessed an increase in distrust by Americans about our election systems and vote security.  Sources promoting this misinformation include losing candidates themselves to foreign actors, enemies of our great nation working to harm our freedoms. West Virginia has largely avoided these recent election doubts. Why? Because of the professionalism and seriousness County Clerks and our staff take in our election duties, working in coordination with the WV Secretary of State’s office.