The Times West Virginian

Opinion

July 27, 2010

Special votes should be held sooner, not later

FAIRMONT — After a couple of weeks of questions about how to fill the Senate seat of the late Robert C. Byrd, West Virginians are now looking down the road at similar confusion about filling the governor’s office.

Gov. Joe Manchin is running for the Senate seat in November, and should he win, he would leave Charleston for Washington with two years remaining on his term as governor.

It is clear that Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin would become acting governor under the West Virginia Constitution — holding that position, as well as his state Senate position.

State law also says that if more than a year remains on the governor’s term, then the acting governor must call a special election. But the law does not specify how quickly the special election must be held.

Tomblin last week said he did not think a special election would be required until the general election in 2012, when Manchin’s term would expire. Others say the law is just not clear.

Moreover, this “special election” question is likely to be even more politically charged than the deal brokered to fill Byrd’s seat. Tomblin and several legislative leaders already have indicated they planned to run for governor in 2012, and other state leaders are eyeing the race as well.

But the issue for the public is not so different from the Senate question. Two years is simply a long time for such an important position to be filled in an interim manner.

Should Manchin win the Senate race, we would urge the acting governor to call a special election for the spring of 2011.

Let the people make the choice.

— The (Huntington) Herald-Dispatch

 This editorial does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Times West Virginian editorial board.

Text Only
Opinion
  • Results about Twitter, free from censorship

    So Twitter announces that it will allow country-specific censorship. What followed was #outrage, #disbelief, #protest, #RighteousIndignation, #TwitterBlackout and #rage.

    February 5, 2012

  • West Virginia must develop plan to fulfill highway needs

    There is no dispute that improving West Virginia’s roads is one of the state’s biggest needs.
    We use them daily — out of necessity and for pleasure.
    They’re also vital to West Virginia’s economic health.

    February 5, 2012

  • Best interests would be served if FGH and city both move on

    In December, Marion County Circuit Court Judge David Janes ruled that the Fairmont General Hospital Board of Directors can appoint its own members and that the City of Fairmont’s charter no longer applies to the hospital.

    February 3, 2012

  • Educational partnership a step in the right direction

    Officials involved in a new educational partnership between Pierpont Community & Technical College and FirstEnergy Corp. call the endeavor a “great opportunity.”
    We think it’s even more than that.

    February 2, 2012

  • Meth causes senseless waste, terrible damage in West Virginia

    Terrible damage is inflicted on West Virginia — and upon abusers and their families — because dopeheads feel compelled to blank out their minds with drugs of many sorts. We can’t understand the sad need that impels them. It causes a senseless loss to society and individuals, filling prisons and wrecking jobs.

    January 31, 2012

  • Limited funds for workforce training can’t be wasted through drug abuse

    There’s only so much money to go around when it comes to workforce training. And with the national economy still in a bit of a slump, there’s even less money to go around and even more of a reason to make the money invested in these programs count.

    January 29, 2012

  • A better way to choose presidential candidates?

    Forty-seven more primaries to go.
    If you feel like it’s been a wild Republican primary election season, with accusations of sexual misconduct, candidates coming and going, who makes how much and more, just remember one thing. There are 47 more primaries to go.

    January 29, 2012

  • Marion Countians should be proud as United Way has exceeded its goal

    The United Way, we are most pleased to report, has reached its goal for the fifth consecutive year. In fact, it has actually surpassed its goal, and that is even better news.
    Just to refresh your mind, the 2011-12 goal was set at $410,000, and it has passed that by $3,000.

    January 27, 2012

  • Americans can’t afford Washington to be ‘broken’

    It’s certainly not difficult to sense division and apprehension in the United States of America.
    The federal government is divided, with Democrat Barack Obama in his fourth year as president and Democrats in control of the Senate, while Republicans are in charge of the House of Representatives.

    January 26, 2012

  • West Virginia has much to offer in bid for ‘cracker’ plant

    More than 12,000 jobs. A payroll of $729 million. State tax revenues of $95 million.

    January 25, 2012

Featured Ads
Special Editions