IMPORTANT SPECIAL ELECTION DATES

Aug. 9: Last day to register to vote in primary

Aug. 20-21 and 23-25: Early voting

Aug. 28: Primary Election Day

Nov. 2: General Election Day

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Twenty-seven days until the election. Fourteen candidates. Eight days to register to vote.

The speedy campaign cycle for West Virginia's special primary election for U.S. Senate leaves less time than usual for scrutiny and transparency, open-government advocates say.

"I think that the condensed timeline for this special election really presents a lot of barriers both to candidates and to voters," said Gary Zuckett, director of West Virginia Citizen Action Group.

The public has less time to register to vote and learn about candidates' stances on issues, Zuckett said.

And "it will be very difficult for candidates, especially the lesser known candidates, to get their message out," Zuckett said. "It would be virtually impossible to cover the state in the short time allowed."

The primary is set for Aug. 28. Four Democrats, 10 Republicans and one Mountain Party candidate are running. That timeline favors those with well-known names, such as Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin and Republicans John Raese and Mac Warner.

One of the best ways for voters to judge candidates is to learn who's funding their campaigns and how the contenders are spending that money, said Dave Levinthal, spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C.

The center runs the blog OpenSecrets.org, which tracks the influence of money on politics.

"This is essential information to being an educated voter," Levinthal said. "And the more information that you have . . . the better ability that you are going to have to know who these candidates are and what they're all about."

Last week, the Federal Election Commission set financial reporting deadlines for candidates in both the special primary and general elections. The first reports are due Aug. 16 and will disclose contributors who have given more than $200, as well as the campaign's expenditures and cash on hand.

Between Aug. 9 and 25, candidates also must notify the FEC within 48 hours of receiving contributions of $1,000 or more.

"That at least gives the public a good idea of the biggest of big," Levinthal said, "in terms of bankrollers or supporters."

Another report is due in October, and similar disclosure requirements are set for candidates in the Nov. 2 general election.

The financial reporting timeline is similar to those in other states' special elections, Levinthal said.

"There are definitely a number of mile posts that must be passed, from a transparency standpoint," he said.

Still, voters won't get the whole scoop right away. For instance, the reports filed Aug. 16 will contain financial information only through Aug. 8. A lot could change in those eight days, Levinthal said.

"There is a lag time with any federal election," he said. "The way things are structured, the public doesn't have the ability to get this information instantaneously, or anything close to that."

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant's office is "doing everything we can" to get the word out about important dates for voters, spokesman Jake Glance said.

On Monday, a radio ad campaign will kick off. It will focus on the Aug. 9 voter-registration deadline for the primary, early voting dates, and reminding West Virginians to check the location of their polling places.

"We're working hard to make sure that everyone knows when they need to do certain things," Glance said.

People who don't register to vote in the primary will still be able to register later this year for the general election.

Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240.