State Constitutional Amendment on ballot this election

This election, Tuesday, November 6, there will be an amendment to our state constitution on the ballot. Depending on the way a ballot measure is worded it can be confusing to figure out exactly what voting in favor or against means. WV voters can review exactly what is proposed and determine in advance whether they intend to vote for or against the measure by reviewing sample ballots in the newspaper, or checking the ballot language on the Secretary of State's office website www.sos.wv.gov/elections/currentelection/Pages/ConstitutionalAmendment.aspx, reprinted here below:

From the Office of the WV Secretary of State:

On the November 2012 General Election Ballot, voters will see the following proposed amendment to the West Virginia Constitution. Ratification of the amendment requires a majority vote. If this amendment is ratified by the voters, the language below will be removed completely from the West Virginia Constitution, and nothing will be added in its place.

WV Code §3-11-4

Language to be Removed from the West Virginia Constitution

A person who has been elected or who has served as a sheriff during all or any part of two consecutive terms shall be ineligible for the office of sheriff during any part of the term immediately following the second of the two consecutive terms. The person holding the office of sheriff when this section is ratified shall not be prevented from holding the office of sheriff during the term immediately following the term he is then serving.

West Virginia State Election Commission Information

The West Virginia State Election Commission has provided the following non-partisan information about the proposed amendment:

Voting “For the Amendment” means you are in favor of removing the two term limit on county sheriffs.

Voting “Against the Amendment” means you are in favor of keeping the two term limit on county sheriffs.

The Exact Wording of the Amendment on the Ballot

No. 1

Repeal The Two Consecutive Term Limitation for Sheriffs Amendment To repeal section three, article IX of the State Constitution which provides that a person who has been elected or who has served as a sheriff during all or any part of two consecutive terms shall be ineligible for the office of sheriff during any part of the term immediately following the second of the two consecutive terms, and that the person holding the office of sheriff when this section is ratified shall not be prevented from holding the office of sheriff during the term immediately following the term he is serving.
[ ] For the Amendment
[ ] Against the Amendment