Latest news with #ColoradoVotingRightsAct
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
These bills on elections and democracy passed the Colorado Legislature in 2025
State Rep. Michael Carter, left, and state Sen. Julie Gonzales, center, pose for a photo after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed the Colorado Voting Rights Act, a measure Gonzales sponsored, into law Monday, May 12, 2025 at the Governor's Residence in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Colorado legislators this year passed a handful of bills related to elections and democracy. One of the bills put existing federal rights into state law in case national protections erode. Another changed how the state fills vacant General Assembly seats, which became a hot topic after three senators resigned in the period after last November's election and the start of the legislative session. The session, during which Democrats held large majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate, ended last week. Here is a look at some of the key elections and democracy proposals lawmakers adopted. Gov. Jared Polis signed the Colorado Voting Rights Act, Senate Bill 25-1, into law earlier this week. The law codifies parts of the 1965 national voting rights law into state statute in case federal protections are stripped, either at the hands of the Trump administration or through the courts. The law clarifies the right to vote across racial and language minority groups and adds ballot translation requirements to municipal elections. A handful of cities in the state opposed the bill because of increased workload and cost. The law also bans voting qualifications based on sexual orientation, gender expression or whether a voter is in jail. It also creates a civil right for voters to bring discrimination lawsuits against local governments for alleged voter suppression. 'Colorado's election system is one of the very best in the country, and with this, we're taking steps to make sure that no matter what happens at the federal level, we can make sure to protect our voter integrity here in the great state of Colorado,' Polis said before signing the bill into law. The bill passed with entirely Democratic support. Polis signed House Bill 25-1225 the same day as the Colorado Voting Rights Act. The law prohibits someone from carrying a visible gun or toy gun while doing certain election-related activities such as voting, canvassing, counting votes and helping someone else vote. Carrying a visible gun during those activities will be classified as voter intimidation. 'Those who serve as on a canvas board or serve as election judges — these are salt-of-the-Earth, dedicated positions. They require an incredible amount of time,' bill sponsor Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, a Pueblo Democrat, said ahead of the bill's signing. 'When they come under threat for the work they do to preserve the freedom of our communities, our state and our country, we need to ensure that they have protections on the back end. That's what this bill does.' A bipartisan bill changed how vacancies in the General Assembly are filled when a lawmaker resigns or dies before the end of their term. There were five vacancy selections this year. They concerned three Senate seats, a House seat when a representative moved to one of the vacant Senate seats, and another Senate seat when a lawmaker resigned amid an ethics investigation. Right now, a vacancy committee comprising members of the outgoing lawmaker's party, often highly-involved party insiders, picks a replacement to serve until the next general election. That could create a scenario where a handful of people pick a legislator to serve the entirety of a term if a lawmaker resigns shortly after reelection. This bill makes sure that somebody will represent the people of a district, but as soon as they have the opportunity to stand (for an election), then people can run against them. That's fair. – Gov. Jared Polis The new process creates a new vacancy election to coincide with an already-scheduled election. Vacancy committees would still immediately fill the seat, but the appointed lawmaker would then need to run to retain their seat, either that same year or the next one, depending on when the resignation happened. The idea is that an appointed lawmaker could serve in just one session before running for reelection. The law also increases the number of people who serve on a vacancy committee by including more precinct organizers and county commissioners of the same party that live in the district. 'This bill makes sure that somebody will represent the people of a district, but as soon as they have the opportunity to stand (for an election), then people can run against them. That's fair. I think it strikes a good balance, and it will make sure that we have more accountability to the people of our great state,' Polis said before signing the bill on May 12. House Bill 25-1327 would make changes to the citizen initiative process, in which people can bring measures to the ballot if they gather enough signatures. 'With more and more ballot initiatives being brought, we are trying to make the process easier for people to track and follow, and we are also trying to reduce some inefficiencies for agencies that are part of the title review process,' bill sponsor Sen. Cathy Kipp, a Fort Collins Democrat, said during the bill's Senate committee hearing. If initiative proponents bring five or more drafts in the same cycle on the same topic, they would need to submit a chart explaining the differences between the drafts so the state's Title Board and other interested parties can understand the distinctions between the versions. Proponents for initiatives who earn a title, which allows them to collect signatures, would need to update the secretary of state when they reach 25%, 50% and 75% of their required petition signatures, and those statuses would also get posted online. Fiscal summaries for initiatives that propose a tax increase would need to include an estimate of the maximum revenue change. Additionally, the Title Board would be required to indicate whether an initiative would modify, extend or repeal existing law or create new law. There are also some calendar and deadline changes for the Title Board in the bill. The bill passed on party-line votes in both chambers, with Democrats in favor. Polis has not yet taken action on it. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New law creates working group to advise on Colorado public land policy
DENVER (KDVR) — Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law on Tuesday that Colorado House Democrats say will help protect public lands in Colorado. The new law establishes a formal working group process to identify opportunities to improve and enhance conservation, agricultural operations and outdoor recreation on state trust lands, according to the House Democrats. Colorado Voting Rights Act signed into law 'This new law will help Colorado protect its iconic landscapes, encourage outdoor recreation, and ensure that farming and ranching continue to thrive on state trust lands,' said Sen. Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, in a statement. 'Balancing these priorities is essential for the future health of our communities and our environment.' House Democrats noted the Colorado State Land Board currently oversees the majority of Colorado trust lands, including state parks and, in total, more than 2.8 million surface acres and 4 million subsurface acres — such as lakes, caves and rivers. The new law will require the established working group to include participation from Colorado's Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes, rural schools and renewable energy organizations, among others, the House Democrats said. New study places Denver second on list of dog friendly U.S. cities 'This work group will make recommendations to ensure that the State Land Board modernizes its priorities to promote conservation but also other benefits our state trust lands can provide, including agriculture, outdoor recreation, affordable housing, and more – all while maintaining the mission of generating funds for our public schools,' said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, in a statement. The law was sponsored by Roberts, Wallace and Sen. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. It was first introduced April 17 and passed the House and Senate on April 30 and May 6, respectively. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Polis signs voting rights bill, shielding Colorado from federal backsliding
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis shakes hands with state Sen. Julie Gonzales after he signed the Colorado Voting Rights Act, a measure Gonzales sponsored, into law Monday, May 12, 2025 at the Governor's Residence in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed the Colorado Voting Rights Act into law Monday, establishing various protections contained in the federal Voting Rights Act at the state level. Senate Bill 25-1, the first bill of the 2025 legislative session, prohibits election practices that limit the participation of people of color and other protected groups, bill sponsors said. It also includes protections for LGBTQ+ voters, expands multilingual ballot access, and requires accommodations for people with disabilities at residential facilities. The state attorney general could enforce voting rights under the Colorado measure, so the state does not need to rely on federal courts to enforce voting protections. The provisions of the bill would apply to all state and municipal elections. Voters whose rights are violated under the act can take action along with civil rights groups. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Bill sponsors include Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat, Rep. Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat, and Rep. Junie Joseph, a Boulder Democrat. Supporters of the bill include Colorado Common Cause, the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, the League of Women Voters and the ACLU, among other groups. Gonzales said inaction from Congress and decisions from federal courts have led to the 'slow dismantling' of the federal Voting Rights Act. Several court decisions have weakened the federal VRA over the last decade, and there's growing concern that President Donald Trump's administration could try to further erode its protections. Those were hard fought protections that the civil rights movement and the Black community particularly fought and led to achieve, and to see the fact that now a generation later, we don't know whether or how long those protections will continue to exist — we're not just going to sit around and see what happens. – State Sen. Julie Gonzales 'Those were hard fought protections that the civil rights movement and the Black community particularly fought and led to achieve, and to see the fact that now a generation later, we don't know whether or how long those protections will continue to exist — we're not just going to sit around and see what happens,' Gonzales said at a bill signing ceremony at the Governor's Residence in Denver. 'We are taking action now. We are taking action here today to ensure that every Coloradan can cast a ballot free from discrimination and free from fear.' Polis said the Colorado Legislature makes the first bill each session something that is particularly important and that it's appropriate that SB-1 centers on voting rights, because 'our democracy begins with voting.' 'Voting is not something that we can take for granted. We need to make sure that we are protecting our rights as Americans to have our voices heard,' Polis said at the bill signing. 'Colorado's election system is one of the very best in the country, and with this, we're taking steps to make sure that no matter what happens at the federal level, we can make sure to protect our voter integrity here in the great state of Colorado.' The measure ensures incarcerated voters have the right to vote while in custody and eases access for voters who live on tribal lands in Colorado. Eligible voters in assisted living facilities will also be provided information to make it easier for them to vote. The bill also expands requirements for multilingual ballots to include municipalities in a county already required to provide multilingual ballots under requirements of a 2021 law. Joseph, who immigrated to the U.S. from Haiti, said the Colorado Voting Rights Act has 'historical weight' building on protections established in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting. She said that had it not been for that measure, 'I would not be before you here today.' A January poll found that two-thirds of Coloradans support protecting voting rights at the state level, and 61% support the Colorado Voting Rights Act, while 33% oppose it. Eight states have passed their own versions, several others have considered similar measures. Polis also signed House Bill 25-1225, which adds protections against intimidation, threats or coercion to people voting or helping others to vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Axios
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
5 ways Colorado lawmakers are fighting Trump
Colorado lawmakers are erecting a blue wall against the Trump administration, writing protections into state law and banking money to file legal challenges. Why it matters: The effort to impede President Trump's agenda makes Colorado one of the White House's most assertive adversaries. The big picture: Trump's shadow has lingered over the legislative session from the start. Democratic lawmakers began planning their defense against the Trump administration late last year with the formation of four internal working groups, the Denver Post reported. State of play: The legislation advancing at the state Capitol is designed to protect vulnerable populations and codify existing federal laws that Trump or the Republican-led Congress may eliminate. To shield people living in the country illegally from deportation, Democrats authored legislation to prohibit all state and local government agencies, as well as the judiciary, from disclosing personal information, such as immigration status. To protect access to abortion, a pending bill would require emergency reproductive care in case the existing federal protection is repealed. To secure the state's voting systems, lawmakers drafted the Colorado Voting Rights Act, which would add current federal protections against discrimination into state law. To promote childhood vaccines, the state is issuing guidance and decoupling from federal rulemakers now that vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leads the health and human services agency. The intrigue: In the most overt move against the Trump administration, Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon) introduced legislation this month to set aside $4 million for legal challenges, a significant sum in a tight budget year when other prized programs are being cut. McCluskie said the money is necessary to fight back against federal funding cuts, such as the $69 million in public safety grants the Trump administration is still withholding and the $250 million in health care dollars it revoked. What they're saying: State Rep. Shannon Bird (D-Westminster), a co-sponsor of the so-called "Colorado Defense Fund," said the bill "fights back against federal overreach and puts Coloradans first." What we're watching: Gov. Jared Polis warned state lawmakers at the beginning of the session not to put a bull's-eye on the state for Trump to target.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Coloradans want lawmakers to safeguard state voting rights
Darryl Walker fills out his ballot while voting on Super Tuesday in Denver, March 5, 2024. (Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline) Our foundational voting rights are at risk. Americans are watching as the new presidential administration dangerously hacks away at institutions of our federal government at the expense of the people, with a slew of executive orders that violate the Constitution and aim to strip Americans of cherished civil liberties they have known for generations. We can no longer rely on Congress as a backstop. The Trump administration has ordered the Department of Justice to cease all involvement in civil rights cases, including enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), which has protected Americans' right to vote since the civil rights era. Congress has refused to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and is responsible for continuing to renew the VRA, and federal courts have been slowly eroding federal voting rights protections for years. The Supreme Court has notoriously ruled against landmark provisions of the VRA, like the 2013 Shelby v. Holder decision and the 2021 Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee decision. Yet, in this time of uncertainty and national instability, Colorado can act on its own to strengthen the right to vote for Coloradans. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Senate Bill 25-1, the Colorado Voting Rights Act, will protect the access to the ballot Colorado voters currently have while protecting the state from the dismantling of the federal Voting Rights Act, any federal or state administration changes, and future attempts to undermine fair and accessible elections, regardless of who controls Congress or the White House. And it's not just democracy advocates who support this move — two-thirds of Coloradans agree. A new poll from the State Innovation Exchange found that voters support a Colorado Voting Rights Act by a wide margin of 61%, with 46% supporting it strongly, more than all of those who oppose it combined. Coloradans from all walks of life support the Colorado Voting Rights Act and see it as a policy that protects all communities, not just some, garnering an additional stamp of approval from 64% of centrist voters, and 62% of independent voters. Despite all the strides Colorado has made in breaking down barriers to voter participation, we still have one of the widest racial turnout gaps in the nation. The COVRA addresses this while codifying anti-discrimination protections into state law. Specifically, the COVRA will help build a more equitable democracy by setting clear and fair standards to ensure election administrators employ practices that do not create systemic disparities in participation between communities. The COVRA also prohibits election methods that dilute the vote of communities of color, targeting classic cases of gerrymandering that result in communities being underrepresented. All local jurisdictions in Colorado are already subject to anti-discrimination standards under the federal VRA. Unlike the federal VRA, the COVRA is designed to help resolve disagreements over election rules outside of court whenever possible. Local governments would remain free to continue running their elections independently and according to their own rules and practices; the new bill simply sets standards in state law to prevent and address discriminatory practices. Additionally, the bill creates explicit protections for LGBTQ+ voters, voters with disabilities, and eligible voters who are confined in jail during an election so that every Coloradan with the right to vote is protected under state law. Colorado must take decisive action to protect our civil rights and liberties before it is too late. Our attorney general currently lacks the authority to enforce the VRA, and we need to equip our state to defend voting rights if federal protections fall. Democracy includes everyone — no matter their race, background, ZIP code, or income — and every single eligible Coloradan deserves to fairly cast a ballot. The Colorado Voting Rights Act will ensure that every voter's voice is protected in future elections, no matter who is in charge. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
