Warren County GOP Prepares for November Election, Constitutional Amendment Fight

The Warren County Republican Committee elected officers and turned much of its attention to the November election during its latest meeting, with opposition to three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution emerging as one of the evening’s main topics.

Committee Chairman Scott Lloyd led the meeting and repeatedly emphasized the amendments as a priority for the local party as early voting gets underway.

The meeting also resulted in several key leadership selections. Cam Williams was elected vice chair, Dena Jaques secretary, and Leslie Mathews treasurer.

With the leadership positions settled, much of the discussion focused on getting Republican volunteers involved during early voting and reaching residents about the races and questions appearing on the November ballot.

The three constitutional amendments received particular attention.

Committee members discussed using direct mail, signs, and other outreach to encourage voters to oppose all three proposals.

“We really need engagement on these amendments,” Lloyd said. “We really need everybody to do their best and really think about creative ways that they can be an advocate on this amendment.”

He encouraged members to talk with friends, family members, church groups, email contacts, and others, including voters who may not normally participate in a midterm election.

Lloyd told the committee that he believes the amendments could have long-term effects on Virginia law and described defeating them as an important part of the committee’s work leading up to Election Day.

One proposed amendment concerning reproductive rights drew some of the most extensive discussion.

Lloyd and other speakers voiced concerns about the amendment’s language and what they believe its adoption could mean for abortion laws in Virginia. Lloyd also discussed language concerning people who assist someone in exercising reproductive rights and raised questions about how those protections could be interpreted.

Those comments represented Lloyd’s and other committee members’ interpretation of the proposal and its potential legal effects.

Voting rights were another focus of the discussion. Lloyd raised concerns about a proposed constitutional change involving voting rights and questioned how future courts might interpret its language.

“We have really a fight for the future of this Commonwealth,” Lloyd told members while discussing the amendments.

The amendments also became central to the committee’s discussion of reaching voters. Members talked about sending information directly to homes across Warren County, with some arguing that a countywide mailing about the amendments should be a priority.

Members also discussed signs opposing the three proposals as another way to reach residents in the weeks leading up to the election.

The timing of that effort was especially important because early voting was set to begin the following day.

Committee members were encouraged to volunteer at the local early-voting location and use an online schedule to select shifts. Organizers said some of the first available time slots had been filled, but many openings remained through the rest of the early-voting period.

State Del. Delores Oates also addressed the committee and focused much of her remarks on the constitutional amendments.

“These constitutional amendments can change Virginia forever,” Oates told the group.

Oates spent much of her remarks discussing the proposed reproductive-rights amendment and her opposition to its language. She urged members to learn about the proposals and talk with voters who may see the questions on their ballots but haven’t closely followed the debate.

Oates also encouraged Republicans to volunteer during early voting and support the party’s candidates appearing on the November ballot.

Lloyd said the goal is to get members involved while there is still time to reach voters.

“We have from now until November 3rd to get that done,” he said, urging members to get as many people involved in the election as possible.

With early voting beginning, the meeting made clear that opposition to the three constitutional amendments will be a major part of the Warren County Republican Committee’s election-season activity, alongside its work supporting Republican candidates on the ballot.