Entries by Neal Barkus

Why West Virginia is Right to Count Timely-Cast Absentee Ballots Received After Election Day

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West Virginia, being the rural, mountainous state it is, has communication issues. Notably it takes longer for US Postal Service mail to get out and to get in. Our state has long recognized the problem and given absentee voters extra time to get their mailed ballots to their elections’ office, as long as they are mailed before election day. This grace policy is under threat by Republicans and Neal Barkus describes what this will mean if they eliminate it.

Tending to Our Democracy

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The Constitution is clear on who sets the rules for who can vote, but the states set the regulations for how voting takes place. Neal Barkus argues that West Virginia Republicans are changing voting rules to conform to the demands of the Federal government. WV does not have a voting integrity problem, so why are we making it harder for our citizens to vote?

ICE Has Violated America

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The heavy hand and violence of ICE agents in addressing immigrants contrasts with the more humane approach put in place during the Biden administration. Neal Barkus details how the Trump administration has taken a sledge hammer to all immigrants, even those who are here legally and who have always been law abiding and productive members of our communities. Our Constitution makes provisions for immigrants and children of immigrants born here. ICE is daily violating these provisions and it is betraying the promise of America as a compassionate land..