Vote on the Ballot Issues!

There aren’t many ballot issues this year.  On the state level one reason may be that state issues haven’t had much success in recent years – perhaps due to voter fatigue.  It can also cost $2 million to get a citizen initiative on the ballot.  Ballot issues can draw people to the polls who will also vote for certain candidates, a motive which is less important this year since presidential election years have higher turnout than other years and there are no other statewide candidates. On the local level RTD and county ballot issues were discussed but not referred to voters because there was concern about voter fatigue over taxes.

In 2011 voters rejected the only statewide ballot issue but approved all of the county and city ballot issues.  The city of Boulder voters approved 2B by just over 200 votes, less than 1% of the votes cast!

I hope this blog helps to educate you and generates some conversation about the ballot issues. Please note that the ballot issue descriptions below are very brief! Each ballot issue has its own blog entry if you would like more information or you would like to make comments about the ballot issue. Please limit comments on this blog entry to general comments about the process or the election.

At the bottom of this blog entry are other ballot issue websites as well as links to other useful election information sites.

Please vote the whole ballot.  In general, the further down the ballot you go, the more your vote counts!


VOCABULARY

Pertaining to Colorado Ballot Issues

Amendment = Constitutional change
  These can only be changed in the future by a voter-approved constitutional amendment.
Proposition = Statutory change
  These can be modified in the future by the Colorado General Assembly.

Referenda - denoted by letters
  The general assembly put these on the ballot with a 2/3 supermajority vote.
Initiatives - denoted by numbers
  Electors signed petitions to put these on the ballot.


Pertaining to City of Boulder Ballot Issues and Questions

City Ballot Issues - taxation questions
City Ballot Questions - proposed charter amendments


COLORADO BALLOT ISSUES

Amendment S
State Personnel System
Proposes changes to the state personnel system for classified employees.
Yes

Amendment 64 
Use and Regulation of Marijuana
Permits persons 21 years of age or older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana under Colorado law and permits the government to tax and regulate marijuana and hemp businesses.
NO

Amendment 65
Directing CO Reps to Support Campaign Finance Limits
Directs the congressional delegation and the General Assembly to propose, support and ratify an amendment to the US Constitution to limit campaign contributions and spending.
Yes


CITY OF BOULDER BALLOT ISSUES AND QUESTIONS

City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2A
Climate Action Plan Tax Extension
Renews the Climate Action Plan tax on electricity consumption through March 31, 2018 to continue funding efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For

City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2B
Sales and Use Tax Extension 
Renews through 2035 a 0.25% (25¢ on $100) sales and use tax dedicated to parks and recreation.
Against

City of Boulder Ballot Question 2C
Measurement by Year Rather Than by Month for Compensation for City Council Members
Compensates city council members for up to 52 meetings per year rather than the current maximum of 4 meetings per month
For

City of Boulder Ballot Question 2D
Permit City Lease Up To Thirty Years
Changes the maximum lease term for city tenants from 20 years to 30 years if the tenant improves the property and 2/3 of city council approves the extended lease.
lean toward for


CHECK YOUR VOTING STATUS

http://www.voteboulder.org
Click on Check Voter Status and enter the requested data. Your voting status, party affiliation, and permanent mail-in ballot status will appear.


OTHER BALLOT ISSUE SITES

Government sites

Blue Book online (Colorado Legislative Council)
The real name of the Blue Book is the 2012 State Ballot Information Booklet.  Available in English and Spanish.
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CGA-LegislativeCouncil/CLC/1200536134742

City of Boulder Election webpage
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7466&Itemid=3800


Media Sites

Boulder Weekly Voter Guide
http://www.boulderweekly.com/article-9908-vote-guide-2012-our-complete-endorsements.html

Daily Camera – Ballot Issues
http://www.dailycamera.com/2012election/colorado-ballot-issues/

Denver Post – Ballot Issues
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_21594202/election-2012-colorado-ballot-issues?source=pkg


Nonpartisan Sites

Ballotpedia
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Colorado_2012_ballot_measures

League of Women Voters of Boulder County
http://www.lwvbc.org/2012election.html

League of Women Voters of Colorado (English and Spanish)
http://www.lwvcolorado.org/


Partisan Sites

Boulder Chamber of Commerce
http://www.boulderchamber.com/pages/2012ChamberEndorsements/

Boulder County Democrats
http://bocodems.org/VotingInfo/BallotIssues.aspx

Awaiting recommendations from other political parties


WEBSITES ABOUT JUDGES ON THE BALLOT

Clear the Bench Colorado
http://www.clearthebenchcolorado.org/
Warning: My computer won’t let me access the site because of a threat (virus?) on the site.

Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation
http://www.knowyourjudge.com/  (Click on Find Your Judge.)
www.coloradojudicialperformance.gov (Same site, different name.)