MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Not every voter in Martinsburg was able to weigh in on the recently passed police levy.
That oversight was not the fault of Martinsburg city leaders, according to the Berkeley County Office of Voter Registration who blamed the issue on the recent redistricting.
Last week, the voter’s registration office offered clarification and an apology which said “a few people within the city of Martinsburg” may not have had the police levy on their ballot.” The announcement went on to say, “for that, we sincerely apologize.”
The county registration office, which is part of the Berkeley County clerk’s office, is putting plans in place to make sure the precinct issues do not happen again, according to the notice.
The levy passed by the required supermajority, at 65% to continue another five years.
Martinsburg City Attorney Kin Sayre told The Panhandle News Network because of recent change in law adopted by the state Legislature, the city is not able to hold its own election for the levy.
“The city became aware of the potential issue with the election during the first day of the early voting period. The City reached out to the county clerk to make sure that every voter in the city would receive the correct ballot. It was also suggested to the county clerk that a sign should be posted at all of the city precincts to notify the voters of the potential issue and to have the City Recorder deputized as an election official to assist the poll workers on the day of the election,” according to Sayre.
Sayre said it is unfortunate that some of the residents of the Martinsburg did not get a chance to vote on the police levy. “Pursuant to State Law the County Commission was charged with the canvass and certification of the election. The County Commission canvassed the election including all of the City’s precincts and they were able to certify that the levy received more than 65% approval of the police levy.”
“The time period to challenge the results and/or set aside the election has expired. Therefore, based upon that certification and the overwhelming support of the Citizens the results of the election will be honored by the City.”
Sayre said at 4:45 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, the day before the election, the city was informed by the county clerk that she would not post the sign or allow the recorder to interact with the poll workers based on information allegedly provided to her by the Secretary of State’s Office. The Secretary of State has subsequently informed the city that the office would not prohibit the placement of a sign deputizing the recorder to assist poll workers.