League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area, West Virginia

Don’t forget! Join us today at 2:00 at the Woodlands to honor our 50 year members!

Please join us to honor and celebrate these incredible women and their commitment to the work of the League of Women Voters!

Please join us to honor and celebrate these incredible women and their commitment to the work of the League of Women Voters!

The Huntington Area League of Women Voters supports with enthusiasm the 2024 version of the Cabell County excess levy for schools, libraries, and parks. This version will provide, starting in 2025 and ending five years later, a total of approximately $30 million annually. From that total, our public libraries will receive about $1.8 million, and our parks will receive about $575,000, both annually. Also included will be equalization payments of 6.1% for libraries, and 1.8% for parks, from any excess funds after the initial distributions. It will be presented to Cabell County voters at the November General Election.
We commend the many people in the community who supported the efforts of the three agencies involved to resolve the differences that resulted in failure to pass the excess levy for the first time in many years. The No Parks, No Libraries, No Levy organization formed immediately after the initial announcement of the proposed changes in the levy that had been passed by large margins since 1967 for the libraries, and 1983 for the parks. This very large group was joined by many individuals in Cabell County who gave financial help and moral support. Lawyer Marc Williams and members of his law firm gave many hours of volunteer legal hours. The directors and staff of Cabell County Public Schools, Cabell County Public Libraries, and Greater Huntington Park District provided volumes of information to voters. We commend newly appointed Superintendent of Schools Tim Hardesty for acting so quickly to follow the direction of the voters who turned down the early version so decisively, and the Board of Education members who unanimously approved returning to the original plan for the excess levy.
Now it is vital that the improved excess levy be approved by voters in the November election. We urge you to ensure that you are registered to vote by October 15, 2024, and then vote on November 5, 2024. We were reminded of the importance of each vote in the May 2024 primary election when the Wayne County ambulance levy passed by just four votes. Passage of our levy will allow us to put aside the turmoil and bad feelings, and get back to providing excellent educational and recreation services through collaboration between the three agencies which will receive needed funds.

LWV Statement in Response to SCOTUS Decision on Presidential Immunity | League of Women Voters LWV Statement in Response to SCOTUS Decision on Presidential Immunity The Supreme Court’s ruling to grant extraordinary immunity for sitting presidents is the most dangerous decision for democracy of our time. Press Release / Last Updated: July 2, 2024 Share this: WASHINGTON — Today, League of W...

Mountain State Spotlight has compiled an excellent resource for researching candidates in the upcoming primary!

West Virginia 2024 primary elections voter guide: What to know Primary election day is May 14. Here are the candidates on the ballot in West Virginia.

The League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area takes no position on the “Board of Education of the County of Cabell Election to Authorize Renewal of Additional Levies.”

Renewal of the excess levy for the Board of Education occurs every 5 years. It will be on the ballot on May 14, 2024, to fund years 2025-2030. Funding for this important levy comes from a legally designated percentage of Cabell County property taxes. During the last year, it provided approximately $30 million for schools, with a legally designated percentage to the public library system ($1.76 million in 2023-24) and the parks system (about $565,000 in 2023-24).

A recent Supreme Court decision said that it was unconstitutional to mandate this designated percentage to libraries and parks. The new levy up for approval leaves this out, but the Board and Superintendent have said they will provide reduced amounts to the outside agencies, about $1.3 million to libraries and $200,000 to parks. These are
significantly lower than current payments, about $400,000 for libraries and $200,000 for parks. The impact is a reduction of 10% for libraries and 64% for parks.

The League of Women Voters studies important issues at the federal, state and local levels. Education, especially in public schools, and associated agencies such as public libraries and parks have been included as educational tools. We
have always supported adequate public funding for them as a basis for our support for community benefit, and thus have always recommended support for excess levy approval. The Huntington Area League has studied these in the past, agreeing that adequate funding is a major requirement.

All school funding elections require a 50%, a simple majority. That has always been easy for Cabell County to exceed. As with any vote, there are pros and cons for approval. Here are some of them concerning the May vote:

Pro: The excess levy in West Virginia is a major piece of funding for public schools.
Con: Excess levy funding has been a vital piece of the funding for libraries, parks, and schools, and losing this percentage would have a major impact.

Pro: All public agencies need more funding than they receive, especially with inflation. No agency in West Virginia receives fully adequate funding.
Con: The proposed flat amount does not provide enough for current needs, and will be worse due to inflation. No libraries or parks in West Virginia receive fully adequate funding and cannot function as needed with reduced funding.

Pro: The Cabell BOE needs every bit of the excess levy to complete projects it has started.
Con: The loss of $400,000 from an already-tight budget will have to result in loss of library services, including reduced hours, reduced staff, reduced purchases of books and materials. Community services such as meeting space likely will be cut. Parks will have to defer maintenance projects, reduce seasonal staffing, reduce grounds
keeping, defer capital equipment purchases and projects along with
reducing recreational programs provided to our community.

Pro: More staff may be retained by the BOE.
Con: Library staff are already extremely underpaid. The library starting salary is $9.50 an hour. There are library staff members who make $12 an hour with a college degree. The library has already reduced their staff and will continue to make cuts based on a reduced budget. The parks' employees are also underpaid and overworked.

School excess levies are important. The League of Women Voters urges everyone to vote as they believe. It is unfortunate this issue, that has for many years included the libraries and parks as well as the public schools, has become so highly controversial.

For anyone working in or around in the public policy realm, this is an incredible opportunity!

Join us at Summer Policy Institute 2024!

SPI attendees participate in interactive sessions where they learn the ins and outs of policy change through a research and data lens, as well as crucial skills rooted in community engagement and grassroots mobilization. Attendees will meet West Virginia leaders from government, non-profit advocacy, and grassroots organizing spaces to build relationships and networks.

Learn more and apply to participate in the (free!) convening here: https://wvpolicy.org/summer-policy-institute-2024/ . Apps are due by May 31!

As the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office does not yet have sample ballots published for the primary election, you can find your sample ballot here:

wv.omniballot.us

Check your eligibility for absentee voting! West Virginia wants registered voters to vote! This includes seniors who are home bound.

Absentee voting about to begin. If you’re eligible, there’s still time to apply. GoVoteWV.com

Please educate yourself about the candidates and issues on the ballot in the upcoming primary! 🇺🇸

Mark your calendars!! April 16, 2024!! 6:30PM!!

The League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area is partnering with local eateries to celebrate Women's History Month! Each restaurant will feature a special dish or beverage during the month of March honoring a woman of significance. Please visit these wonderful establishments and enjoy the special dishes that they have prepared in honor of Women's History!

Thank you, Mayor Steve Williams, and the Cabell County Public Library for your support of Women’s History Month!!

A Community Celebration of Women’s History Month will be held at 1:00, March 2nd at the main library in downtown Huntington. Our theme is “Standing on the Shoulders of Those Who Came Before Us,” inspired by Joyce J. Rouse’s “Standing on the Shoulders.” Rouse’s song will be performed at the celebration by local talent Wendy Wilson, accompanied on keyboard by Mike Campbell.

Portraits of thirty women from our past and present - ten local, ten state, ten national -will be on display at the library through the month of March. In addition, local eateries and taverns have created menu items named after the women to be available at their places of business through the month. Please join us at the library the first Saturday in March to kick off Women’s History Month!

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area in cooperation with the Cabell County Public Library.

Rest In Power, Dr. Turner 🕊️ Thank you.

League Mourns Loss of LWVUS President Dr. Deborah Ann Turner | League of Women Voters WASHINGTON — It is with profound sadness that the League of Women Voters announces the passing of our esteemed president, Dr. Deborah Ann Turner, who passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024, from complications from a pulmonary embolism.

For anyone who wasn’t able to attend the Amocus Curiae lecture last night, you can view it here!

Amicus Curiae Lecture Series | Kermit Roosevelt III presents The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America's Story

Thanks to our League members who have planted and tended to the shade garden at the Cabell County Courthouse. It’s beautiful, be sure to visit if you’re at the courthouse!

Visit this link for information on upcoming neighborhood meetings that will inform the City of Huntington, WV’s Comprehensive Plan and shape how the city develops.

Comprehensive Plan Update City of Huntington, West Virginia

Wonderful event coming up on August 30th, League members can RSVP to [email protected]

Early voting in Cabell County has officially started! 🗳 🗳 🗳
Early voting is October 26th-November 5th, weekdays from 8:30am-4:30pm and Saturdays (the 29th & 5th) from 9am-5pm.
The three early voting locations are:
Cabell County Courthouse, Marshall University Student Center and Milton City Hall.
Voters can choose which location is best for them, regardless of their assigned precinct, for early voting.
Happy voting!

Voting is the foundation of our democracy and our responsibility as citizens. Please register and educate yourself on the issues!

Voter registration deadline is Oct. 18 CHARLESTON — There’s still time for West Virginia residents to check their voter registration status ahead of next month’s general election. The deadline to either register to vote or update

The League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area, West Virginia joins the League of Women Voters of West Virginia in opposing Amendments 1, 2 and 4, which will be on the ballot in the general election in November. One of the League's main goals is voter education. Please read and share this information to help others learn about these important issues for West Virginia.

Our League is looking for volunteers leading up to the General Election in November. We are planning to attend events this fall to provide information about voter registration, help people find their voting place, and educate voters about what will be on their ballot. If you are interested in helping with these efforts, please message us here for more information!

We are excited to partner with our friends at the Huntington Cabell Branch NAACP and The Huntington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for this Meet the Candidates Forum & Voter Registration Drive!

W.Va. voters to consider four amendments to state constitution in November - The Herald-Dispatch

W.Va. voters to consider four amendments to state constitution in November CHARLESTON — West Virginia voters at the polls in November will consider four state constitutional amendments covering topics ranging from property taxes to authority over public schools to the balance

November election is coming! Follow LWVWV for Voter Tips.

Register to vote, update your registration, or check your status at GoVoteWV.com

Thanks to Betty Barrett for speaking up about this important issue for women.

Letter to the editor: WV should have statewide vote on abortion Agree? Disagree? Respond to this Letter to the Editor here: https://www.herald-dispatch.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/

The deadline to register to vote in the general election is October 18. Please register if you haven’t already, your vote does matter!! We will be sharing information over the next few months to help educate Cabell and Wayne County voters about the constitutional amendments on the ballot, as well as candidate profiles, information about candidate forums, and more! Be sure to like our page to stay informed!!

GOVOTEWV.COM is the trusted source for everything elections-related in the state of West Virginia, including the new district maps for 2022!

With our online voter tools you can check your voter registration, register to vote for the first time, or even check your polling place.

Check out GoVoteWV.com now.