CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Although much of the early midterm election attention has been on the race for U.S. Senate, both major political parties in West Virginia see one of two proposed constitutional amendments as something that will drive voters to the polls.
Amendment One would put language in the state Constitution stating there is nothing in the governing document protecting a woman’s right to an abortion or requires the funding of services.
Medicaid covers abortion services for poor women in West Virginia, which is one of 17 states with such practice. The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled in 1993 the state has an obligation to provide necessary medical care, including abortions, to low-income residents.
The West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee unanimously voted earlier this month to support Amendment One.
West Virginia Republican Party Chairwoman Melody Potter said last week on MetroNews “Talkline” tax dollars should not go toward funding abortions.
“Women will still have the right according to Roe v. Wade, which is a federal decision to get an elective abortion,” she said. “Physicians will still be able to make the determination in case of rape, incest or the life of the mother, whether a woman should get a taxpayer-funded abortion.”
The executive committee also elected Potter to a full term as chairwoman at the party’s summer meeting in Wheeling.
West Virginia Democratic Party Chairwoman Belinda Biafore said on the same program the amendment is “just too extreme.”
“When you can’t take the life of the mother or the child, and you take no consideration whatsoever for rape or incest, then it’s lost its common sense,” she said.
Biafore said when low-income women are put in danger if they lack access to the right kind of medical attention.
“If it’s your wife, your daughter, your sister, is this what you want for them?” she said. “I can’t imagine anyone in today’s world that would allow this to happen to a mother.”
Potter called Democrats advocates for “killing the life of the unborn child.”
“The Democrat Party is the axis of death and destruction,” she said. “I just want to say that.”
“Conservatives and Republicans, I guarantee you, are going to go out and vote for this amendment,” Potter later added.
Biafore said there is energy among West Virginia Democrats that she has not seen before because of the education work stoppage earlier this year.
“I’ve seen women come alive and they’re tired,” she said. “They’re tired of being pushed around. The majority of our teachers are women, and they’re tired of being pushed around.”
The second constitutional amendment on the ballot, Amendment Two, would give the state Legislature oversight over the judicial system’s budget. A majority of voters is needed to pass constitutional amendments.