Opinion: Election errors as frustrating as gambling outcome

By Katlin Stinespring
Hurricane High School

"West Virginia: Open for Business." What a motto for this great state.

For the most part, I have been pleased with Joe Manchin's accomplishments so far in his term as governor, but I am thoroughly disappointed with this change.

"West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful" was a very appropriate motto and a joyous and welcoming touch to anyone traveling to or through the state. This "Open for Business" status has led the state into murky waters this summer, as the four counties containing gambling racetracks (Kanawha, Ohio, Hancock and Jefferson) voted on whether to approve or deny the addition of table games and slots at their gambling centers.

This addition would be a tremendous boost for tourism, one of the state's largest economic sources, and the Northern Panhandle counties will have the means to compete with new Pennsylvania table games, but what about the effects on the poverty-ridden and obsessive gamblers of the state?

Gambling is just going to bring despair to the state. Sure, Kanawha, Ohio and Hancock (the three counties that passed the legislation) will have their flashy racetracks with multi-million dollar poker expansions, and superficially West Virginia will be fine and dandy, but the inner depths of the state -- the people -- will be downtrodden with even more unethical economic opportunities.

Even beyond this frustrating decision to allow additional gambling in the state, the discovery of extra ballots is incredibly infuriating and raises many questions. How can the voters be assured that their votes will be counted in future elections? Why was there so much carelessness? What happened behind the scenes to cause this mayhem? How can the local government ensure that this won't happen again?

Thank goodness for Betty Ireland's audit because with it, voters may actually receive some answers.