Ballot Information for November 5th Election

Say what you about America. Really, you can say what you want about America. We may not like what people say, but praise God they and we have the freedom to say what we believe. For that reason alone you should vote. Because you can. You currently have a voice, a privilege many other countries do not experience.

Below are your choices for the November 5th election. Ridgeview News urges you to get to know every political choice and vote for the ideals you would like to see your Nation, State and Community governed by.

Also on the Ballot are two matters of the utmost importance.

Amendment 1

West Virginia Amendment 1, the Prohibit “Medically-Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, and Mercy Killing” Measure, is on the ballot in West Virginia as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

Amendment 1: Life or Death?

This amendment would prohibit people from participating in “the practice of medically assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of a person.” This practice is sometimes referred to as assisted death, assisted suicide, or aid-in-dying. This includes prohibiting healthcare providers and physicians. This amendment would not prevent the administration or prescription of medication to alleviate pain or discomfort while the patient’s condition follows its natural course, nor does it prohibit withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment at the request of the patient or patient’s decision maker. The amendment also does not prevent the state from providing capital punishment.

Physician-assisted death is legal in nine states—California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington—and the District of Columbia. Oregon became the first U.S. state to legalize physician-assisted death in 1997. It was decriminalized in Montana following a court ruling. Three states—Colorado, Oregon, and Washington—legalized assisted death by ballot initiative. Six states—California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Vermont—legalized assisted death by legislation. The last state to legalize assisted death by ballot initiative was Colorado in 2016.

For the state legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, a two-thirds vote in each chamber is required during one legislative session. The amendment was introduced as House Joint Resolution 28 (HJR 28) on January 31, 2024. On February 15, 2024, the House of Delegates voted 88-9 to pass HJR 28. On March 9, 2024, the Senate voted 28-4 to approve an amended version of HJR 28. As HJR 28 was amended, concurrence was required in the House of Delegates. Later on March 9, 2024, the House voted 88-10 to refer the constitutional amendment to the ballot.

The second matter of importance is the Calhoun County School Levy.

Again and again, Calhoun County has attempted to pass a school levy without success. The primary reasoning considered was that the economic status of Calhoun County was in such a state that the residents did not feel they could justify another increase or did not understand the need for the school to have the increase in funds.

The tax increase (although none is ever appreciated) is not of a significant amount, but the impact and needs is great.

Michael Fitzwater Superintended addressed the Levy. With the following key points for which the levy will support the school.

1. School Safety and Security: The levy will provide funding for, but not limited to, a school nurse, a preventative resource officer, and a Technology System Specialist.
2. Facilities and Equipment: Funds will go toward playground equipment for CMHS, improvements and maintenance of county-wide athletic facilities, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Additionally, it will support maintenance and custodial supplies.
3. Extracurricular Support: The levy will help fund extracurricular trips, providing more opportunities for our students.
4. Summer School: Funding will be available to support summer school programs.
5. Supplemental Salaries: The levy will offer supplemental salaries for all staff members.
6. Elementary Art Programs: The levy will provide an art cart for elementary students at PHE and AES, enhancing creative opportunities for our youngest learners.

Your support in this levy is crucial for ensuring the continued success and safety of our schools. Whether or not you have children involved, these children are the future leaders of our community, we need to provide for them the best we can.