THIS ARTICLE IS COMMENTARY AND PUBLISHED IN OUR EDITORIAL SECTION.
Change to Virginia’s tax code extends benefits to surviving military spouses; Tuesday, Oct. 15 last day to register to vote
By Randy Arrington, publisher
While almost every voter is aware that this is a presidential election year, and most know that congressional and municipal offices are up for grabs as well, many may not know that there is a constitutional amendment on the ballot to change the tax code of Virginia.
In the simplest of terms, the proposed amendment strikes the term “killed in action” and replaces it with “who died in the line of duty.” The language appears in Article X – Tax and Finance of the state code, within Section 6-A, which currently allows: “Property tax exemption for; certain veterans and their surviving spouses and; surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action.”
By changing the wording to read “who died in the line of duty,” additional military families will be eligible for these state tax exemptions on real property. Depending upon how the U.S. Department of Defense classifies the cause of death, there are soldiers who “die in the line of duty” — from things such as training accidents and other non-combative exercises — who were not “killed in action”, which applies strictly to combat.
“A ‘yes’ vote would allow the surviving spouse of a soldier who died in the line of duty to claim the same real property tax exemption on their principal place of residence that is currently only available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who are killed in action,” reads a pamphlet distributed by the Virginia Department of Elections.
We fully support this amendment and the military families that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. With minimal economic impact within the scope of the larger state budget, this decision is really a “no brainer.” To exclude families in which a soldier died in the line of duty, but not in combat, is not only unfair, but it diminishes the sacrifice these families have made to support our defense.
We hope that each voter checks “Yes” to amend the state tax code and allow military families who have lost someone in the the line of duty a state tax exemption on their primary residence.
THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE or update the address on your voter registration is Tuesday, Oct. 15. If you miss the registration date… Voters may register in person after Oct. 15, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot.
OTHER ELECTION DATES TO REMEMBER:
- Friday, October 25 by 5 p.m. — Last day to request a ballot be mailed to you.
- Saturday, October 26 — Local voter registration offices open for in-person early voting.
- Saturday, November 2 — Last day to vote early in-person.
- Tuesday, November 5 — Election Day. Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
No matter how you stand on any issue, or who you choose in any race on the ballot — please remember to VOTE. Those who say it doesn’t really matter, don’t truly believe in our democracy. Voting is not only a right and a privaledge; it’s the duty of every eligible citizen in a free democracy.
Do your duty — VOTE!
Serve as an Officer of Election – Learn more and apply at elections.virginia.gov/officer
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