As the dust settles from another legislative session in Charleston, it’s time for voters across West Virginia to take stock. Our elected representatives have spent 60 days debating, sponsoring, and voting on bills—some that may benefit our communities and others that seem more about political grandstanding than progress.
Before the next election season kicks into high gear, we owe it to ourselves—and our state—to ask some serious questions: What did our lawmakers actually do for us? Did they show up consistently? Did they focus on improving West Virginia’s economy, healthcare, education, and infrastructure? Or did they spend their time chasing headlines and stirring up culture war controversies?
The answers to these questions aren’t hard to find. Head to and look at the bills your legislators sponsored and how they voted. It’s all public record. And if you’re serious about making informed decisions the next time you cast a ballot, you should take advantage of that transparency.
Let’s put it into perspective. Did your delegate or senator sponsor just a handful of bills, such as proposals requiring public school students to use restrooms based on biological sex, bringing back corporal punishment, or ending Daylight Saving Time in West Virginia? That might say something about where their priorities lie.
Now compare that with a lawmaker who sponsored nine bills, including three focused on child care, or others aimed at improving water pollution controls, tax processes, and energy site reclamation. These kinds of legislative efforts may not grab headlines, but they have a meaningful impact on our daily lives.
What about those in leadership positions who sponsored dozens of bills related to budgeting, education funding, or state operations? Or those who tackled major social and economic issues—like creating a domestic violence offender registry, consolidating county school boards to improve efficiency, expanding access to mental health treatment, or restoring voting rights for the formerly incarcerated?
And then there are those whose legislative efforts were dominated by hot-button cultural issues: banning books, regulating adult entertainment, legislating morality, or introducing bills focused on critical race theory and gender-affirming care for minors. These are the types of proposals that generate controversy, not consensus—and rarely do they solve the everyday challenges faced by West Virginians.
Of course, some lawmakers didn’t sponsor a single piece of legislation. That doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t contribute. But it does raise another critical question: When it came time to vote, were they representing your values and your interests?
You can look up every vote on every bill. You can find out who said “yes,” who said “no,” and who didn’t bother to vote at all. That’s the kind of information that should weigh heavily when you consider giving someone your support at the ballot box.
It’s easy to get distracted by fiery floor speeches, catchy soundbites, or viral videos. But at the end of the day, it’s not the rhetoric that affects real people—it’s the legislation that passes or fails. That’s where the impact is felt. That’s where your representative either did their job or didn’t.
And don’t forget about the bills sent to the governor’s desk. How often did your elected officials work to pass legislation that directly helped you, your family, and your community? Did their actions reflect the kind of future we say we want to build—one where young families want to stay, invest, and grow in the Mountain State?
These are tough but necessary questions. And only you can answer them for yourself. Maybe you’ve already made up your mind about how your representatives did. Maybe you’re still undecided. Either way, it’s your responsibility as a voter to review the record—not just the promises made during campaigns, but the decisions made when it mattered most.
And here’s the thing: Your vote is your voice. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for how you cast your ballot. You owe it to your own conscience, to your family, and to the future of West Virginia.
So ask yourself: What kind of state do you want to live in? What kind of opportunities do you want for your children and grandchildren? And did the people elected to represent your district vote in a way that supports that vision?
If the answer is no, don’t forget it when Election Day comes. Hold them accountable.
