Amendment A would strike the following italicized words from Article II, Section 26 of the state constitution: "There shall never be in this state either slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." The state constitution’s current text mirrors the language in the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution.
Amendment A’s effect on the constitution is identical to that of 2016’s Amendment T which voters rejected by a slim margin. This year, however, the question on the ballot – see below – was rewritten to be less confusing.
Constitutional changes require approval from the electorate. Once again unanimous votes in both chambers of the General Assembly (with 5 state representatives excused for the final vote) supported House Concurrent Resolution 18-1002 to place Amendment A on the ballot.
Recommendation: YES/FOR
This is another step in cleaning up archaic sections of the state constitution and an effort to have the state constitution reflect more humanitarian ideals.
Opponents contend that Amendment A would jeopardize offender work programs and might force communities to house offenders rather than offer them the opportunity to work off their sentence. Proponents dispute that claim, pointing to 23 states which have no constitutional language about slavery or involuntary servitude but still have work programs.
Website for the Yes Side (Abolish Slavery Colorado)
https://abolishslaveryco.org/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment A (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution that prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime and thereby prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances?
YES/FOR _______
NO/AGAINST _________
HCR 18-1002 to refer Amendment A to the voters
http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_hcr1002_01.pdf
Amendment A’s effect on the constitution is identical to that of 2016’s Amendment T which voters rejected by a slim margin. This year, however, the question on the ballot – see below – was rewritten to be less confusing.
Constitutional changes require approval from the electorate. Once again unanimous votes in both chambers of the General Assembly (with 5 state representatives excused for the final vote) supported House Concurrent Resolution 18-1002 to place Amendment A on the ballot.
Recommendation: YES/FOR
This is another step in cleaning up archaic sections of the state constitution and an effort to have the state constitution reflect more humanitarian ideals.
Opponents contend that Amendment A would jeopardize offender work programs and might force communities to house offenders rather than offer them the opportunity to work off their sentence. Proponents dispute that claim, pointing to 23 states which have no constitutional language about slavery or involuntary servitude but still have work programs.
Website for the Yes Side (Abolish Slavery Colorado)
https://abolishslaveryco.org/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment A (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution that prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime and thereby prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances?
YES/FOR _______
NO/AGAINST _________
HCR 18-1002 to refer Amendment A to the voters
http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_hcr1002_01.pdf
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