FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — The Fayette County Commission voted Wednesday to order a new election for the Fayette County Republican Executive Committee Plateau District, following ballot irregularities discovered in the May primary.
The decision came after candidate William Vest contested the results, citing reports that 96 Republican ballots were improperly cast by non‑Republicans in a closed primary. Of those, 37 voters participated in the contested race — enough to alter the outcome.
Commissioner Allison Taylor announced the ruling, stating that all three candidates — Vest, Robert Shirley Love, and Austin Haynes — will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. The commission noted that the improper votes resulted from poll worker error, not intentional interference.
Commissioner John Brennaman recused himself from the proceedings because his stepson, Haynes, was a candidate in the race.
Vest said the ruling reinforces the importance of election integrity, adding, “We just want to make sure that we got fair elections… We’ll go forward in November, and may the winners come out on top.”
No other races were significantly affected.
