The election primary season has arrived. Of particular interest are primary battles for County Commission, West Virginia Senate, House of Delegates and Board of Education. With several forums and debates already scheduled, we urge everyone to attend at least one to find where the candidates stand on issues important to you. Some of the events give you an opportunity to question the candidates directly.

Here are a few questions you might ask.

Delegate and Senate Races

Tort Reform. Banging the drum for tort reform has become almost cliché. But what do the candidates really mean by this? Having enacted reforms in recent years, West Virginia is “competitive” with neighboring states on torts issues. Ask candidates to give you straight answers on specific changes they might propose.

Right-to-Work Laws. States with right-to-work laws are often dubbed pro-business and anti-union. As a result, any attempt to modify the playing field brings out the lobbyists. Are there changes that could be made to West Virginia labor law that would make the state more competitive without sacrificing the state’s worker-friendly traditions?

Collective Bargaining for Public Employees. Public-employee unions now represent the largest segment of organized labor nationally. We don’t allow it in West Virginia—even among teachers. Should we?

Intermediate Appellate Court. West Virginia is one of very few states without an intermediate appellate court. Every appeal must be reviewed by the state’s Supreme Court—and very few are ever accepted for full argument. Should we spend a little more money, and make a better, more modern court system?

How We Elect Judges. Should we continue the current practice of partisan election for judges, or, like many states, have judges run without party affiliation? And should we provide public financing for Supreme Court races? For that matter, do we want to elect judges at all.? In many states, judges are appointed.

County Commission Races

Budget. What changes, if any, would you propose in how the county creates and implements its annual budget?

Levy. Would you have voted for or against increasing the levy?

Zoning. How would you propose to modernize land-use planning in the light of the defeated proposed ordinance?

Board of Education

One question; and it’s a loaded one. Should the legislature grant local school boards the authority to set their own levy rates?

See if they even know what you’re talking about. The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will host a series of candidates’ debates in April on the second floor of the War Memorial Building, German and King streets in Shepherdstown. These events are free and open to the public. For information, call 304-876-2775. Candidates for Jefferson County Commission will debate on Tuesday, April 6, 7–9pm. Debates for the Jefferson County School Board, the 57th Delegate District and the 16th State Senatorial District will take place on Thursday, April 8, 7–9pm.