
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, November 6, 1995                   TAG: 9511060097
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CANDACE BEAMER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VOTERS WILL CAST BALLOTS TUESDAY

We won't be voting for a president or a governor, but 1995 is an election year in Virginia. Virginians have the opportunity to elect the 140 members of the General Assembly.

The General Assembly, the lawmaking body of Virginia, dates all the way back to 1619 with the establishment of the House of Burgesses. Today the General Assembly is a legislature, a lawmaking body, made up of two houses.

These two houses are the House of Delegates and the Senate. The representatives for both the House and Senate are elected by registered voters, and the term of office is two years for a delegate and four years for a senator.

The General Assembly is a part-time lawmaking body and its chief responsibilities include representing citizens, making laws and approving the budget.

Here at William Fleming, not only have we had the opportunity to learn a lot about the House of Delegates and the Senate, we have also had the challenge of participating in a teen forum with candidates from the 8th, 14th, 16th and 17th House districts, along with the candidates from the 21st Senatorial district. Students from high schools around the Roanoke Valley were able to question the candidates to learn how they stand on certain issues and find out how they might vote if elected.

Participating were Republican Del. Morgan Griffith, who is running unopposed in the 8th District; Del. Dick Cranwell, D-Roanoke County, and challenger Trixie Averill; Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke, and challenger Newell Falkinburg; Del. Vic Thomas, D-Roanoke, and challenger Jeff Artis; and Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke, and challenger John Edwards.

Some of the issues in this year's statewide campaign are welfare reform, building prisons and money for education.

Besides the General Assembly elections, voters in some districts will have an opportunity to cast their ballots for candidates in other local races, including sheriff, and members of school boards and boards of supervisors.

It is hoped that all eligible persons will vote on Tuesday.

Candace Beamer is a senior at William Fleming High School in Roanoke. She is president of the school's Student Government Association.

by CNB