Editorial
Much is at stake in the ongoing elections that began Sept. 18 with early voting and conclude this coming Tuesday, Nov. 3, with the actual Election Day voting. There are offices and measures on the ballots that will have wide-ranging implications at the local, state and federal levels of government for years to come.
Which party is to control either or both chambers of Congress over the final two years of President Donald Trump’s administration will be determined. Republicans have held the majority of seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives the past two years but recent polls suggest Democrats have a decent chance of gaining a majority in either or both houses.
Wars in Iran and Ukraine, inflation, tariffs, health care, immigration policies, climate change and accountability of public officials are among the issues driving what are most assuredly consequential elections. Rockbridge area voters will have a say in electing a U.S. senator and member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Voters in Virginia are being asked whether or not to approve any or all three of proposed amendments to the state constitution. Question one asks whether to enshrine the right to abortion in the first two trimesters of pregnancy and other reproduction rights in the state constitution. Question two asks whether to guarantee the right to marry to two consenting adults, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or race. Question three asks whether convicted felons should regain the right to vote after they have been released from prison.
Voters in Buena Vista and Lexington are being asked whether to approve a 1 percent local option sales tax that would be used to fund local school construction projects. A multitude of local elective offices are on ballots this year in Lexington, Buena Vista, Glasgow, Goshen and Rockbridge County’s Walkers Creek magisterial district.
The right to vote is precious and we encourage all to participate in this exercise in representative democracy. If you don’t vote, you forfeit the right to complain about the policies that are being implemented on your behalf.
We encourage everyone to disregard suggestions that rampant fraud is being perpetrated on the electoral process. To date, all such allegations have been disproved. We believe sufficient safeguards are in place to ensure that only legally-cast votes are counted.
We especially want to express our appreciation to all of the hardworking elections officials whose dedication and honesty ensure that we can trust the results.
In short, your vote counts. A week from now, when the results are in, we are confident that the will of the people will have been truthfully expressed.
