(Photographic illustration – MetroCreative)

PARKERSBURG — As Election Day approaches, representatives from Wood County’s Democratic and Republican parties shared perspectives on their respective approaches to nonpartisan races and campaign regulations.

Democratic Chairman Jeff Fox said the party does not actively campaign for its candidates in nonpartisan races, such as for the Board of Education. Instead, he said the party maintains a slate of Democratic candidates but leaves campaigning to each individual candidate.

“The only person who can win a campaign is the candidate himself. » said Fox.

He stressed the importance of door-to-door canvassing on billboards and events, and said the party offers training sessions to educate candidates on campaign finance reporting and election laws. signaling. He added that the party advises candidates to seek permission from private landowners before placing campaign signs, rather than placing them on public land.

“Even though there is a philosophy that you should put your signs anywhere because someone might walk by and see it, I’m not a big fan of a simple approach to signs,” said Fox. “I think you keep the signs close to your territory, and then coupled with door-to-door canvassing, that’s how a candidate wins.”

Republican Party Executive Committee Chairman Scot Heckert said each county committee has the flexibility to determine how to handle nonpartisan races.

He said the committee voted to allow nonpartisan candidates to place campaign materials at Republican headquarters if they support the state and national Republican ticket. He said it was a change from previous policy, which excluded nonpartisan candidates.

Both party chairs said they follow state and city regulations regarding campaign signs and how they are distributed. Heckert said this includes regulations such as placing signs within 100 feet of any voting location, obtaining permission to place signs and not placing them on the right-of-way or easements of the polling station. ‘State. He said the city also has an ordinance banning campaign signs 30 days before an election, except on private property.

Fox said there were training sessions for new Democratic candidates. He said they educate candidates on campaign financial reporting requirements, such as submitting reports to the appropriate government offices like the city clerk, county clerk or secretary of state’s office. He said the training also covers advice on countryside signage, emphasizing the importance of obtaining permission from property owners before placing signs.

“We make everyone aware of that and then, as a general rule, I like to tell applicants that, yes, signs are important, but so is sign permitting.” said Fox.

He said traditionally Wood County has had smooth elections, with voters “trust our process here in Wood County.” He said reports he received from people who voted earlier this year indicate they had a “pleasant experience” with the process. He said spreading voting out over a few weeks through early voting helps prevent polling places from being overwhelmed on Election Day.

Douglass Huxley can be contacted at [email protected]