Sen. Mark Peake, R-8th District and The Family Foundation of Virginia, hosted a Town Hall meeting Sept. 16 in Lynchburg to inform constituents about the proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution coming to the ballot box this November.
This ballot referendum proposes three separate constitutional amendments. If the amendments pass, they will be the deciding language for any other statutory law.
If ratified, these amendments will enshrine abortion into the state constitution, enable same-sex marriage and restore the voting rights of felons.
The Director of The Family Foundation Action Bruce Schlesman said that the proposed legislation is going to be an “incredibly deceptive ballot.”
Former Delegate Mark Earley, R-73rd District, added that constituents must carefully examine the ballot question and the amendment.
“We have to make sure that people not only actually read the text of these amendments, but understand what they are going to do,” Earley said.
Peake said that Liberty University students should register to vote, and he encouraged students to vote “no” on the proposed amendments.
“(My) plea to Liberty students: please register to vote if you are not registered to vote, and vote ‘no’ on these constitutional amendments,” Peake said.
Early in-person voting opened Sept. 18 and runs through Oct. 31. General Election Day will be held Nov. 3, during which same-day voter registration will be available.
Residential students at Liberty who register with their on-campus address may vote in the Montview Alumni Ballroom on General Election Day, where same-day voter registration will also be available. Students must bring a valid form of ID, such as a Flames Pass, to complete same-day registration.
For more information on the ballot or to register to vote visit https://www.liberty.edu/register-to-vote/.
The Liberty Champion plans to release a special election-themed issue Oct. 28 including a Q&A with each candidate who chooses to participate, and an explanation of the proposed abortion, marriage, and felony amendmentsso students can learn more about their options on the ballot and make an informed decision.
Gathje is a news editor for The Liberty Champion.