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It wasn't all that long ago we were being bombarded with election information, the cycle of office-seekers soon will be starting up again.
The 2022 mid-term elections are coming up, and it appears as if it will be interesting and more than a little confusing.
The state Legislature spent a good amount of time this year going through proposals for redistricting following the 2020 Census. That included eliminating one district for the U.S. House of Representatives, which means West Virginia will have only two people in the lower chamber of Congress. The numbers of those districts also have been flipped, with the northern portion of the state now known as District 2.
The boundaries of our internal districts also have been changed, especially when it comes to our legislative representation. Why those holding offices get to decide where their districts are going to be, I don't know, but the deed has been done.
The West Virginia Secretary of State's Office has posted maps for all of these newly redrawn districts on its website, although it doesn't show a great amount of detail, so it is best for voters to check with their local county clerk to make sure they are going to the correct polling place. There's also the option of using the early voting process.
The Secretary of State also has an online guide for anyone considering seeking public office as part of the 2022 elections. It can be found online at sos.wv.gov/elections under the Election Information section, labeled "Running for Office Guide."
The guide includes a listing of the various elected offices which should appear on our local ballots next year, including seats on local boards of education, conservation district supervisor, political party executive committees, county commissions and possibly some city councils, circuit clerk, county clerk, state House of Delegates, state Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
Those planning to run will need to file for their selected office from Jan. 10 to midnight, Jan. 29, 2022. For offices on the federal, state or judicial (excluding magistrate) levels, or those spanning multiple counties, candidates must file with the Secretary of State's Office. The remaining offices, those within a particular county, are to file with their local County Clerk. Municipal offices should go to their municipal recorder or city clerk.
At the state level, our state Senate will have 17 of the 34 seats up for grabs. Each state Senate seat carries a four-year term, with those elected paid approximately $20,000. Our area is represented by the First Senatorial District, which encompasses all of Hancock, Brooke and Ohio counties and a portion of Marshall County. All 100 seats in the House of Delegates will appear on the 2022 ballot. Those have two-year terms and also receive approximately $20,000 in pay. In the state House, District 1 represents portions of Hancock and Brooke counties, District 2 also represents portions of Hancock and Brooke counties, and District 3 represents portions of Brooke and Ohio counties. Each House district after the next election will be represented by one individual, so there will be many changes once all is said and done next November.
Our election process certainly seems to be a never-ending cycle. It's been a full year since the presidential election of 2020. Now, we're gearing up for the 2022 mid-terms, with several individuals having already declared their candidacy for a variety of offices.
This next phase officially begins in just over a month, as campaigns file their official paperwork. In the meantime, I encourage everyone, whether you plan to seek office or participate in the process through voting, to take time and carefully study all of the latest information out there. There will be a lot to consider next year.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)