Thousands of Appalachian voters flip from Democrat to Republican, narrowing registration lead

Tens of thousands of voters in West Virginia have switched party affiliations since early 2024, with over 16,900 Democrats registering as Republicans and 20,000 unaffiliated voters joining the GOP. The shifts, reported by Secretary of State Kris Warner, reflect a broader political realignment as the state prepares for its May 12 primary election under a closed primary system.