HOUSE MOVES TO KEEP VOTERS INFORMED

Reps. Kennedy and Weissman’s bill to ensure voters understand the impact of the ballot measures they’re voting on advances

DENVER, CO– The House today advanced a bill to give voters more detailed information about the ballot initiatives they are voting on. The bill passed the House on Second Reading.

“In Colorado, we trust the voters to make the final decision on countless critical matters of state, and it only makes sense to trust them with more robust and detailed information as they do so,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This simple bill will mean better ballots and more informed decision making for the state of Colorado. What’s not to love?”

“Colorado’s complex laws mean that voters are often entrusted to make hugely consequential fiscal decisions, and it’s crucial that we provide them with all the necessary information before their votes are cast,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Better ballots will soon be on their way.”

Under current law dating back to the 1992 TABOR law, ballot measures that would increase taxes are required to outline, in capital letters, how much revenue will be raised from said initiative. This bill would provide voters with even more information about the impact of ballot questions on taxpayers and taxpayer-funded programs.

For example, the bill would require that for measures that either increase or decrease the individual income tax rate or the state sales tax rate, ballots show a table indicating the average tax burden change for taxpayers in each income bracket. The bill also requires that for ballot measures that reduce state tax revenue, the blue book sent to every voter shows the top three programs the revenue reduction impacts, as determined by nonpartisan legislative research staff.