Election season has a way of shifting the rhythm of our communities.
Yard signs appear, ads fill televisions, and conversations turn to candidates, campaigns, and the issues shaping our future. With the November 3 general election approaching, West Virginians face important decisions. The question is whether we will approach those decisions with the thoughtfulness, responsibility, and hope our state deserves.
Today, Tuesday, October 13, is the deadline to register to vote or update voter registration information for most in West Virginia. Early in-person voting begins on October 21 and runs through October 31. Election Day will be here before we know it. These dates are reminders that our opportunity to participate in our democracy requires action, not just good intentions.
Voting is one of the most fundamental responsibilities we share as citizens. It is our opportunity to help shape the direction of our communities, state, and country. Every election offers us a chance to consider the candidates seeking our trust, examine their ideas, and decide which leaders are prepared to serve.
Our responsibility, however, extends beyond casting a ballot. We owe it to ourselves and our neighbors to be informed voters. We should look beyond campaign slogans and political ads to understand the issues, evaluate the proposals, and consider the consequences of decisions made on our behalf. Some (many) candidates are outright stretching the truth. I would consider much of it lying if it were a story one of my kids was trying to spin for me. We should ask questions, listen to different perspectives, and remember that someone who disagrees with us may have reached a different conclusion while sincerely wanting the same things for our families and communities.
My years in the West Virginia Legislature taught me that governing is more complex than campaigning. Campaigns often focus on differences, but governing requires finding common ground. Progress depends on individuals who are willing to sit across the table, listen, negotiate, and work toward solutions that move us forward. It depends on the ability to work together rather than tear others down.
West Virginia has too much potential to let political divisions define our future.
Our communities need good jobs, strong schools, reliable infrastructure, opportunities for young people, and an economy that enables families to build meaningful lives here. Achieving these goals requires thoughtful leadership, public participation, and a willingness to collaborate with others. No single elected official, political party, or level of government can accomplish everything alone, and unfortunately, some are currently trying to pass it off as though they hung the moon in the sky. I assure you, they did not.
But that is not going to stop the desire to be relevant in some. It will not stop them from exaggerating their role in many of the positives happening in the state, but if voters let them claim they hung the moon, some will take it.
The people we elect matter. So do their character, judgment, priorities, and willingness to serve. We should expect them to be accountable for their decisions and to be honest about the challenges facing our state. We also need to plan to remain engaged after election day, when the signs come down and the hard work of governing begins.
Democracy works best when citizens recognize their role. That role does not end at the ballot box. We must keep asking questions, attending public meetings, communicating with our representatives, and holding our leaders accountable. Civic participation is not reserved for those who hold public office or have political connections. It belongs to every citizen who cares about the place we call home. It should be all of us.
I have always believed that West Virginia’s greatest strength is its people. I have seen neighbors come together in difficult times, communities rally around families in need, and individuals volunteer their time because they believe their hometown is worth the fight. That same spirit should guide our political lives.
We can disagree without becoming disagreeable. We can challenge an idea without attacking the person who expresses it. We can hold firm convictions while staying open to learning something new. These are not signs of weakness. They are the qualities that enable communities to move forward together.
As we approach this election, I encourage every eligible West Virginian to make a plan to vote. We need to do better than we did during the primary. I get it. It is not a presidential election. Turnout is lower in midterm elections. But it is just as important.
It is important to learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot. Review your voter registration, pay attention to the deadlines, and take advantage of the opportunity to make your voice heard. Then encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same.
The ballot is ours. The responsibility is ours. The future is ours, too.
Our children and grandchildren will inherit the state we help shape today. They deserve communities where opportunity is possible, where people learn to debate respectfully, and where leaders remember that public service is a privilege rather than a personal entitlement. The last one is the biggest one for me.
West Virginia has never been defined solely by the challenges we face. We are defined by the people who refuse to give up on one another, who work hard, lend a hand, and believe tomorrow can be better than today.
That is the spirit we should carry into this election. Not simply the determination to win an argument or defeat an opponent, but the determination to build a better future together.
Our small towns, our neighborhoods, and our people are worth that effort. The next chapter of West Virginia’s story is still being written. Let us make sure we each have a hand in writing it.
