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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR24-068 Support of Colorado Constitutional Amendment K Regarding the Modification of Constitutional Election Deadlines Docusign Envelope ID:CB8282C7-3FFA-4519-83EE-0E3F07D31AB6 Commissioner Chandler-Henry moved adoption of the following Resolution: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO RESOLUTION NO. 2024 -068 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF COLORADO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT K REGARDING THE MODIFICATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL ELECTION DEADLINES WHEREAS,the Board of County Commissioners for Eagle County("Board") is authorized by C.R.S. § 1-45-117(1)(b)(III)(a)to pass a resolution taking a position of advocacy on any statewide ballot issue; and WHEREAS, accurate and fair elections are fundamental to democracy, and Colorado's County Clerks build, review,proof, translate, and test ballots to ensure that each voter receives a ballot specific to their address that is from errors or inaccuracies, thereby upholding the integrity of the election process; and WHEREAS, Colorado's ballots continue to get longer and more complicated, requiring County Clerks to prepare and proof multiple ballot types, sometimes exceeding 684 unique versions in a single election, with Eagle County preparing as many as 70+ballot types in English and Spanish; and WHEREAS, election deadlines are tight and must be strictly adhered to; Colorado law currently provides County Clerks with only four days after receiving certification from the Colorado Secretary of State to complete the multistep process necessary to carry out an election and mail ballots, making it difficult to get ballots tested and mailed to voters on time; and WHEREAS, Colorado Amendment K: Modify Constitutional Election Deadlines ("Amendment K") would amend Section 1 of Article V and Section 25 of Article VI of the Colorado Constitution to make the deadlines one week earlier for filing of initiative petitions, referendum petitions, and judge's declarations of intent to seek another term, and to require that the content of ballot measures is published in local newspapers 30 days earlier than under current law; and WHEREAS,by shifting certain deadlines earlier, Amendment K would allow the Colorado Secretary of State one extra week to certify ballot order and content and election officials' deadline to transmit ballots, which then provides County Clerks an additional five business days to program election systems and to format, translate, and review ballots for accuracy before they are sent to voters; and WHERAS,by providing said additional time, Amendment K would help County Clerks perform their duties and ensure that Colorado's increasingly long and complex ballots remain accurate, thereby promoting election integrity; and Docusign Envelope ID:CB8282C7-3FFA-4519-83EE-0E3F07D31AB6 WHEREAS,Amendment K was approved by the Colorado Senate on April 29, 2024 by a vote of 34-1 and was passed in the Colorado House of Representatives on May 5, 2024 by a vote of 61-1; and WHEREAS, Eagle County is committed to supporting County Clerks to ensure they have enough time to create, proof, and print ballots to ensure Colorado elections continue to be the fair and accurate elections we have today; and WHEREAS,Amendment K will appear on the statewide ballot in the November 5, 2024 election as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO: THAT, the Board expresses its overwhelming support for Colorado Constitutional Amendment K. [Remainder of page left intentionally blank] Docusign Envelope ID:CB8282C7-3FFA-4519-83EE-0E3F07D31AB6 MOVED, READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the 22nd day of October, 2024. Signed by: COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF 0 o COLORADO, By and Through Its . BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS \\ \�O0.P� ATTEST: Signed by: ,�¢¢,,,,,,,, 11,Sigg1needby:-I ._- `` rOD82r21880C140.. Y 81E7B2D718E0479... Clerk to the Board of Matt Scherr County Commissioners Chair —DocuSigned by: Th-fifftiV2IMMeeney Commissioner Signed by: AQ 641 fl1ffper PP@@ler-Henry Commissioner Commissioner McQueeney seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The roll having been called, the vote was as follows: Commissioner Scherr Aye Commissioner McQueeney . Aye Commissioner Chandler-Henry Aye This resolution passed by 3/0 vote of the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado