Connect with us

News from the South - West Virginia News Feed

WV Republicans, who won nearly every election in 2024, focused on ‘election integrity’ this session

Published

on

westvirginiawatch.com – Amelia Ferrell Knisely, Lori Kersey – 2025-03-18 05:00:00

WV Republicans, who won nearly every election in 2024, focused on ‘election integrity’ this session

by Amelia Ferrell Knisely and Lori Kersey, West Virginia Watch
March 18, 2025

In the wake of West Virginia Republicans winning nearly every election in November, the GOP supermajority has spent a bulk of the 2025 legislative session on bills they say will increase election integrity. 

Democratic lawmakers argue that conspiracy theories are guiding the onslaught of election bills this session.

There have been 93 elections- or voting-focused bills introduced this legislative session, and Republican-backed measures meant to clean up the voter rolls, restrict immigrants’ voting rights, make judicial races partisan and more have dominated committee agendas. The Senate already signed off on a measure that would clarify voter eligibility, including that a voter be a U.S. and state citizen; it also seeks to protect elderly residents’ voting rights. 

A bill that would limit absentee voter registration has drawn concern from several outside groups, including the Women League of Voters of West Virginia, who say it targets elderly and disabled West Virginians in a state with abysmal voter turnout

“West Virginia faces real problems … we suggest that you solve some of these problems before wasting your time chasing down bogus conspiracy theories that marinate in right-wing social media and cable news,” the group said in a statement.   

Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio

West Virginia had no reports of election fraud during the 2024 general election, where the voters overwhelmingly favored President Donald Trump, and Republican candidates won nearly every race in the state, even adding on to their GOP majority in the Legislature.  

“With so many Republicans in the Legislature, do they think those elections were fixed or rigged? Because that’s the legislation they’re running,” said Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio.

Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia

Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, said a non-election year is the right time for lawmakers to focus on making sure elections are safe and thwarting potential problems. Lawmakers can look to other states for ideas, he said. 

“It gives us an opportunity to really look at election laws, evaluate what happened during the last election cycle, and try to identify what we can do to make the process better, safer and stomp out any fraud,” he said. “There’s no conspiracy here. Republicans are not trying to make it more difficult to vote.”

Several of the bills have come at the request of new Secretary of State Kris Warner, who has  said that protecting the integrity of the election process was a priority. 

“The names of deceased people, convicted felons and out of state citizens will continue to be removed from the voter rolls,” Warner told reporters during the West Virginia Press Association’s Legislative Lookahead event last month. “This session I’ll support the implementation of photo ID for voters and work tirelessly to ensure every eligible citizen will have the right and opportunity to vote.” 

West Virginia Republican Party Co-Chairman Tony Hodge, whose work includes increasing voter turnout, said that Republican lawmakers aren’t trying to make it harder to vote. 

“I think all West Virginians would agree that our elections should be as secure as possible,” he said. “It just gives peace of mind.”

Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, speaks against a bill that would prohibit people from sending absentee ballot applications to people who did not ask for them on March 6, 2025.(Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

Bill restricting absentee voter applications draws concerns 

One of the more contested bills has been Republican-sponsored House Bill 2117, which would change how the state handles absentee ballots, including setting a deadline of 7:30 p.m. on Election Day for absentee ballots to be received and prohibiting people from sending absentee ballot applications to people who did not ask for them. 

Trump has attacked the use of mail-in ballots, blaming his 2020 presidential loss on the voting method, though he more recently has walked back his criticism.  

West Virginia allows absentee voting only in certain situations, like when residents are not present in the county during voting or they have another allowed excuse such as sickness or incarceration.

The legislation, which passed the House 88-14 on March 6, has drawn opposition from groups including the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, who say the bill penalizes people who rely on the U.S. Postal Service to send their absentee ballot.

“HB 2117 disregards West Virginia’s strong election safeguards, pushing baseless conspiracy nonsense that wastes time and ignores real issues,” Julie Archer, CAG’s deputy director, said in the statement. “Instead of solving problems, it attacks voters and makes it harder for eligible West Virginians to cast their ballots.”

“Supporters pointed to restrictive voting laws in other states to justify the bill — laws born from the same baseless hysteria over voter fraud that this legislature seems hell-bent on keeping alive,” she said. 

Rick Hillenbrand, R-Hampshire

Del. Rick Hillenbrand, R-Hampshire, one of the bill’s sponsors, said he wanted to prevent groups from sending large amounts of absentee ballot applications to people who may not be eligible by law to vote by absentee ballot. 

“This has actually occurred in the past where some groups have without vetting whom they’re sending applications to, whether or not they’re legally eligible to vote by absentee,” he said. “They just mass mail absentee ballot applications. The problem with that, of course, there are people who are perhaps a little too trusting with regards to things that get sent to them and delivered, especially by organizations they believe to be reputable.” 

Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, says the bill could unfairly restrict voters in nursing homes who rely on absentee voting. West Virginia is one of the nation’s most elderly states

“I’m concerned that federal law requires nursing home workers to help their residents vote,” Hansen said. 

Individuals who mail or deliver more than 10 applications for an absentee ballot would face a $500 fine or incarceration for a misdemeanor, according to the bill. It prompted Hansen to send an absentee ballot application to every House member to show “this email would be illegal.”

“Hopefully that made the point with them how ridiculous this bill is,” he said. “They fear absentee voting, so they want to make it more difficult to cast a vote.”

In a statement, the League of Women Voters of West Virginia called the legislation voter suppression. The bill awaits consideration in the Senate. 

“Absentee voting is essential for West Virginians with disabilities, those who lack transportation, the elderly, and residents of rural areas,” the group said in a statement. “These are demographics that characterize much of West Virginia’s potential voting population.

“Our state is known for its poor broadband penetration. This bill targets vulnerable West Virginians least likely to have computers and direct internet access who might otherwise access absentee applications on their own.”

One election bill awaits Morrisey’s signature 

Sen. Jack Woodrum, R-Summers

Sen. Jack Woodrum, R-Summers, sponsored a bill that would prohibit rank choice voting, which isn’t happening in the state. The measure, which passed the House and Senate, is awaiting approval from Gov. Patrick Morrisey. It’s one of 13 bills that have made it to the governor’s desk at the halfway point in session.

Woodrum said that many of the election bills this year have been guided by public interest. 

“Pretty much every public meeting I’m in, the thought of election fraud and people that have lost faith in the ability of the government to run a fair election comes up,” he said. 

Both Woodrum and Hillenbrand said the state generally does well at running elections, but improvements can be made. 

“Our secretary of state’s current and immediate past worked very hard to try to tighten it up. So I think all in all, we’re in a good place,” Hillenbrand said. “But like most things in life, there’s always a little room for improvement.”

In the House, Del. J.B. Akers, chair of its Judiciary Committee, said the Republican Caucus has prioritized election security bills.

Del. J.B. Akers, R-Kanawha

“Even though the Republicans won most of the races in the last election cycle by significant margins most of the time, they are acknowledging that voters do want secured elections and that these election bills are something that’s going to apply across the board, regardless of who’s in power,” said Akers, R-Kanawha. 

The House Judiciary Committee is still vetting proposed voter photo ID changes, and House Bill 3016, sponsored by a Republican lawmaker, would do away with most of those forms of identification accepted, narrowing it down to six options: driver’s license, state ID, passport, employee ID, student ID and military ID. The state’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union opposes the bill

While those bills are moving, Hansen is still waiting for his Republican colleagues to take up his bill that seeks to modernize the state’s elections by updating absentee ballot procedure as making it more difficult to challenge a signature match.

YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.

SUPPORT

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.

The post WV Republicans, who won nearly every election in 2024, focused on ‘election integrity’ this session appeared first on westvirginiawatch.com

News from the South - West Virginia News Feed

Jay's Evening Weather for 07/04/25

Published

on

www.youtube.com – WOAY TV – 2025-07-04 18:07:19

SUMMARY: Jay’s Evening Weather for 07/04/25 forecasts lots of sunshine and very high UV levels (UV index 10) this weekend, urging use of sunscreen, hats, and shade to avoid sunburn. Temperatures are warm statewide, ranging from upper 70s at night to highs near 90°F in places like Huntington. Humidity is currently moderate but will rise Sunday, increasing heat-related illness risks—know heat exhaustion and heat stroke signs. A tropical system may develop off the North Carolina coast, possibly named Shantel, but rain chances remain low until a front arrives Monday, bringing increased showers and thunderstorms through the week.

It has been another very nice day around the region. Tomorrow will be nice again, but warmer. FOR ALL THE LATEST, BE SURE …

Source

Continue Reading

News from the South - West Virginia News Feed

County Commissioner dies

Published

on

www.youtube.com – WSAZ NewsChannel 3 – 2025-07-04 16:34:55

SUMMARY: Cathy Coleman, a County Commissioner in Greenup County, Kentucky, died following a car accident on May 1st. Her granddaughter shared that Cathy was taking her dog to get ice cream when the crash occurred. The Scioto County Commissioners’ Facebook page announced her passing and stated that funeral arrangements will be shared once available. The announcement also noted that it has been a perfect day weather-wise, reflecting on the timing of the news. Coleman’s death has affected the local community, and more details about her funeral will be provided by the commissioners’ office soon.

County Commissioner dies.

For more Local News from WSAZ: https://www.wsaz.com/
For more YouTube Content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrcuU0JXXy8oIBqEB13mrwA

Source

Continue Reading

News from the South - West Virginia News Feed

Taking a look at the Declaration of Independence on July 4

Published

on

westvirginiawatch.com – West Virginia Watch Staff – 2025-07-04 05:00:00


The United States Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, announced the Thirteen Colonies’ separation from British rule, declaring them free and independent states. It asserts that all men are created equal with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Governments derive power from the consent of the governed and must be altered or abolished if destructive. The document lists grievances against King George III, including unjust laws, taxation without consent, and military oppression. It concludes by pledging the colonies’ commitment to independence, with mutual support of their lives, fortunes, and honor.

by West Virginia Watch Staff, West Virginia Watch
July 4, 2025

We’re running the text of the Declaration of Independence in full today on America’s 249th birthday.

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.

SUPPORT

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.

The post Taking a look at the Declaration of Independence on July 4 appeared first on westvirginiawatch.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

This content consists of the full text of the United States Declaration of Independence, a foundational and historically significant document. It presents the original grievances and rationales for the colonies’ separation from British rule without commentary or modern political framing. The Declaration is often seen as a unifying symbol of American values such as liberty and government by consent, and is typically used in contexts that aim to transcend contemporary partisan divides. Thus, the content reflects a neutral, centrist presentation rather than any specific political bias.

Continue Reading

Trending