W.Va. GOP says pick may impact others

CHARLESTON, W.Va., June 7 (UPI) -- West Virginia Republicans say their presidential nomination process, which is expected to end earlier than other states, is likely to impact the West Coast.

The state's nominating convention, which is scheduled for Feb. 5, is expected to result in the state announcing a victor earlier in the day than other states -- possibly as early as 11:30 a.m. on the West Coast, The Hill reported Thursday.

"I believe it can have a big impact," said Robert Fish, chief executive of the West Virginia Republican Presidential Convention. "This can give a winning characteristic to one of the campaigns."

Fish said he does not expect votes to be cast any later than 4 p.m. The state's new system begins at the county level, where each county elects 1,421 delegates to vote for GOP candidates. The delegates will participate in a morning vote to narrow the field to three candidates and after an hour break, the top three will be narrowed down to one.