Colorado would tighten some key behind-the-scenes deadlines on its election calendar if voters approve Amendment K in November.
The proposed amendment on the state ballot seeks to move up deadlines for judges seeking retention, citizen initiatives and the publication of ballot measures in local newspapers.
The measure was placed on the ballot by the Colorado legislature. It needs 55% support to pass since it would amend the state constitution.
What would Amendment K do if passed?
The amendment would move up the deadlines for three pieces of the election calendar: Signature petitions, judges seeking retention and the publication of ballot measures in local newspapers.
Petitions to change state law or challenge laws passed by the legislature currently need to be submitted three months before the general election. This amendment would move that deadline up to be a week sooner.
It would also move the deadline for when state judges must declare that they’ll be seeking retention to a week earlier — at three months plus one week before the general election. Judges in Colorado are initially appointed by the governor, and they must seek retention by voters after a two-year provisional term in order to serve a full term. They stand for retention again to serve subsequent terms, which last four years for county court judges, six years for district court judges, eight years for Court of Appeals judges and 10 years for Colorado Supreme Court justices.
Amendment G would require the state to publish the title and text of all statewide ballot measures in newspapers across the state at least 45 days before the general election. Currently, the measures must be published 15 days before the election.
How much will Amendment K cost?
State fiscal analysts found no substantive costs associated with the measure. For local governments, it would shift some workloads for county clerks and recorders and give their staffs more time to format and translate ballots and program election systems. For the state government, it would change when petition signatures are reviewed and when information is published.
What do supporters say?
The measure would give election officials more time to format, translate and review ballots for accuracy ahead of them being sent to voters, according to the state’s Blue Book voter guide. Deadlines are already tight, especially to send ballots to overseas and military voters, and the extra time is needed as ballots grow longer and more complex. The amendment also would make sure ballot measures were printed in newspapers before voters received their ballots.
What do opponents say?
This proposal would make it harder for citizens to petition some initiatives onto the ballot by giving them less time to collect signatures. It’s unnecessary, some say, because the content of ballot measures is already publicly available before the current newspaper publication deadline and the media often covers them as news.
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