Voters reject all 4 Amendments, Lisa Godwin wins reelection, Lori Dittman takes House of Delegates
All four Constitutional Amendments on the November ballot failed to gain voters support in Braxton County as they did statewide. In the county’s only contested races Lisa Godwin won reelection to a second term on the County Commission, while Lori Dittman will be the new representative for this area in the House of Delegates.
The county recorded a good turnout for a mid-term election according to the County Clerk’s office. A total of 1043 registered voters took advantage of the early voting period, while an additional 2377 went to the polls on Tuesday, November 8th. Fifty-seven more participated by casting an absentee ballot.
In Braxton County and Statewide, voters handed the legislature a resounding defeat in rejecting all four proposed Constitutional Amendments. Vote totals strongly indicated that citizens did not want the legislature to have additional powers.
Locally, Amendment 1 which would have given the Senate final word on any impeachment proceeds, fell by a vote of 2,240 against the change with only 1,025 in favor. Unofficial statewide totals from the Secretary of State’s website show 267,693 voted against the amendment with only 195,193 in favor.
Amendment 2 gained the most discussion and the highest vote total. That amendment would have taken tax revenue from the county governments and the school system. A total of 2,500 Braxton County voters opposed the measure with only 854 were in favor. Statewide, 307,343 voted against Amendment 2 while 168,704 supported it.
Amendment 3 would have allowed churches to incorporate. Locally 2,171 opposed the change while 1,088 favored it. Statewide total indict 209,787 were against and 251,797 favored the proposal.
Amendment 4 would have given the legislature the final say-so over rules, regulations and policies set by the State Board of Education. Only 1,111 Braxton voters favored the change while 2,199 opposed it. Statewide, 274,171 opposed the amendment, 199,330 supported it.
In the local race for County Commission Lisa Godwin won reelection to a second 6-year term with 1,825 votes. Challenger Gary Herndon received 1,203 unofficial votes.
With long time Delegate Brent Boggs decision not to seek reelection, Lori Cowger Dittman will now represent Braxton and a portion of Gilmer County in the House of Delegates 63rd Delegate District. Dittman outdistanced her opponent, Kevin Carpenter with 2,482 votes to Carpenter’s 937.
In the US House race Carol Miller won local with 2,278 votes to Lacy Watson’s 837. Miller prevailed district wide.
Bill Hamilton ran unopposed for the Senate seat representing the 11th Senatorial District.
County Clerk Sue Rutherford and Circuit Clerk Susan Lemon also were unopposed in their bids for reelection.
