Jackson County is just one step away from adding an early voting satellite precinct for the May Primary Election.

Jackson County Clerk Jeff Waybright says they've jumped through all the hoops so far.  He's received approval from the County Commission.  He's met with the County GOP Executive Committee and they've put their support behind it.  Now, he's waiting on the Democrats to get their feedback.

"We're wanting to have an agreement signing, so to speak, here at the (Jackson County) Courthouse, hopefully, next week."

Currently, early voters cast their ballots at the Jackson County Courthouse in Ripley, but Waybright says there's a need for a satellite polling place in the northern half of the county.

"Ripley and Ravenswood are our two main population centers as far as where people go to do their banking, to do their grocery shopping and those type things and we just thought it was logical to set up an additional precinct in the Ravenswood area.

During the last election, only 20% of those who turned out to early vote at the courthouse came from Ravenswood or north.  Waybright believes a lot more voters in the Cottageville, Millwood and Sherman areas would cast early votes if they could do it closer to home.

Waybright promises, if the agreement is signed and early voting takes place at a satellite office starting in April, his office will take a careful look at the results and to determine if it's worth it after the election.

"We'll sit down with the party chairs and the commission and discuss the good things and the bad things.  Hopefully, there won't be too many  bad things and see if we want to expand satellite voting in other areas of the county."

Kanawha, Greenbrier and Wyoming Counties are also considering satellite voting.