Today is primary election day in West Virginia, and as long as you read this before the polls close at 7:30 p.m., you’ll have plenty of time to vote.
The primary is just as important as the general election – Republicans and Democrats have a say in who from their party will represent them in the general election, and – at least for now – independents can vote on either party’s ballot. The West Virginia Republican Executive Committee Voted Decided earlier this year to close Republican primaries starting in 2026.
While the presidential candidates have already been determined at this point, West Virginians can vote on who they want to represent their parties in the U.S. Senate and House elections. The lawmakers who represent West Virginia in Congress will be spending a lot of time in Washington, D.C., fighting to get money for the state and trying to pass legislation that they believe will aid West Virginians.
The races at smaller levels are just as important. Consider the ordinances city councils passed last year. Huntington and Charleston now both allow outdoor drinking areas in their downtown areas. The Morgantown City Council may begin the process Repeal their begging ban, and the town of Bethany joined 18 other communities in passing a law last month Equity Ordinance to protect LGBTQ+ residents from discrimination in the workplace, housing and public spaces.
Local elections are important.
Who is a member of your county commission? Who is your county sheriff? Do you know who sits on your district’s school board? Cabell County residents are aware of their school board members after the superintendent announced plans to lower Cabell County’s deductible levy financing from county parks and libraries.
The surplus levy vote will only appear on the primary election ballot, but it is possible that if the levy fails, another one will be proposed in November.
Votes are important. Surplus Levy Fund schools, parks, libraries and fire departments. It’s always nice to look at you Sample ballot paper Before you go to the polls, you should 1) check to see if there is a levy you didn’t know about, and 2) understand the wording of a levy so you know how to vote – the wording can be confusing.
Please investigate. Look at your sample ballot and see which elections you can vote for. Search for people you don’t know. Read articles about the candidates, including in West Virginia Watch. Check Local election leader to find out more about candidates. Ask friends who have similar beliefs to you who they vote for – this doesn’t mean you have to vote the same way, but it can give you a better idea of which candidates might agree with or against your views. Make a cheat sheet on your phone if you’re worried you’ll forget which candidates you want to vote for – it can be stressful when you get to the voting booth to vote.
Voting is one of the most important things you can do as a member of your community. They aid decide who will make laws that affect your daily life.
Look at the state’s last legislative session – 60 days were wasted arguing several invoices that died last night. The state budget was passed at the last minute and everyone knew that it was inadequate and would have to be corrected within a year Special session – which will cost taxpayers more money.
Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court put the decision to legalize abortion in the hands of the states. Although a majority of people believe abortion should be legal during the state’s legislative session a The invoice A proposal backed by eight Democrats to introduce a ballot measure that would allow West Virginians to vote on whether to legalize abortion failed to gain traction. Lawmakers were too busy talking about anything obscene materials They believe that libraries offer something to children, and that is what they try to do Relaxation of vaccination regulations.
There are many things that affect you every day that you may not know are controlled by the West Virginia Legislature.
Does your workplace not offer paid parental leave? That’s because West Virginia doesn’t require it, and a The invoice The creation of a pilot program in the state did not produce any results during the meeting.
Is your family having trouble finding or affording something? childcare? Lawmakers said early in the session that child care was a priority but did not pass bills that would aid parents pay for it.
Teacher compensation? Decided by the state parliament.
Unemployment benefits? Reduced by the West Virginia Legislature this past session.
Elections affect everything, but in the 2022 primary election, only 34.7% of West Virginians of voting age voted. These 34.7% of people make decisions for all of us.
According to Secretary of State Mac Warner, there were 43 races in West Virginia’s 2022 primary that were decided by fewer than 10 votes. Your voice can absolutely make a difference.
