Residents Express Worry and Confusion Over Amendment 1
A significant change to the State Constitution is at stake this election day, as Amendment 1 aims to amend the West Virginia Constitution to prohibit “the practice of medically assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of a person.”
Assisted suicide refers to suicide conducted with the assistance of another individual, particularly the administration of lethal drugs provided by a doctor for a patient facing a terminal illness or incurable condition.
Many voters are expressing confusion and concern regarding Amendment 1. Some believe that the amendment may restrict voter freedom and lead to increased government overreach.
“Unfortunately, I believe it is rather confusing by design. They didn’t include the actual wording of the amendment on the ballot, which adds to the confusion,” said Mike Pushkin, Chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party.
Voting “yes” on this amendment indicates support for it becoming law, while voting “no” signifies opposition.
Pushkin emphasizes the importance of being informed about what appears on the ballot. “It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the ballot before you go in. We’ve experienced issues in West Virginia where incorrect ballots have been used, so it’s important for voters to be aware of this. To do that, you must educate yourself on what should be on your ballot, particularly regarding this constitutional amendment, before casting your vote,” he stated.
Early voting began on October 23 and will conclude on November 2.
